Learn24 OST Scholarship Program Changes Lives for DC Students

Over the past 3 years, The Community Foundation has been proud to partner with Learn 24 to offer the Learn 24 Out of School Time Youth Scholarship Program. Together we have supported the distribution of nearly $1.4 million in scholarship funding to more than 300 youth for summer and after school programs ranging from tutoring and mentoring to music lessons, dance, and sports.

We are thrilled to announce that additional funds for youth Scholarships for DC Students will be available in just three weeks through Learn24’s OST Youth Scholarship Program.

Learn24 is a network that supports equitable access to high-quality, Out-of-School-Time (“OST”) programs for the District’s students. Managed by the Greater Washington Community Foundation, Learn24’s OST Youth Scholarship Program provides funding to help students and their families – especially those with specific needs – access the programs they need to strengthen their education, health, and well-being outside of school.

Examples of programs that the scholarship may support include, but are not limited to, programs designed specifically for students with disabilities, advanced learners, and English Language Learners. The scholarship allows families to access summer programming or after-school programming during the school year – opportunities that are often inaccessible for students with specific needs and their families.

“The Community Foundation has done an OUTSTANDING job with this grant for my advanced son,” one parent shared. “I cannot emphasize enough why things of this sort are truly needed.”

“Thanks to this grant, my son has not missed a beat with any of his enrichment activities outside of school. This grant took a huge financial burden off of my pockets as a parent. Many will not understand the magnitude of why grants of this sort, processed by such a professional organization is needed. I hope that this will be a continuous thing for our beloved city.”

“I can’t begin to explain the impact this grant will have on my son’s future and on his confidence,” another parent shared. “The past 3 years have been strenuous and the amount of assistance he needs is not easily found and funded.”

“This funding will make sure his transition into middle school will be a little less difficult and more importantly, give him the foundation he needs in order to succeed in life.”

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If you are interested in applying, even if you’ve applied previously, please read this post in full as there are several program changes since the prior cycle.

This year, The Community Foundation and Learn 24 are excited to share the 2024/2025 Scholarship application will include two cycles—Year-Round Programs and Summer Programs. The application form for Year-Round programs will open on November 12, 2024, with the Summer Programs application opening on March 1st, 2025.

When the application portal opens, you will be able to find the link to apply here: https://www.thecommunityfoundation.org/for-nonprofits

Applicants who are seeking to engage in programs that are concurrent with the DC school year, beginning no earlier than August 26 (first day of school) and ending no later than June 17 (last day of school) are able to apply for the Year-Round scholarships.

Applicants who are seeking to apply for summer programs that start no earlier than May 1 and end no earlier than August 30 can apply for the Summer Programs scholarships in the spring.

This year, students will be able to apply for support for ONE program up to $5,000 in scholarships for Year-Round Programs and up to $3,000 for Summer Programs. Applicants who are living with a disability can access up to $10,000 for Year-Round Programs and $5,000 for Summer Programs. The minimum scholarship award is $1,000.

Scholarships are awarded based on individual need and availability of funding. Scholarship funds can be used for any OST activities that have a cost association up to the total scholarship amount.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and must be submitted online, using the link provided. No hard copy, email or faxed proposals will be accepted. Applications are reviewed periodically by The Community Foundation and approved by Learn24.

Application Requirements

Applicants are required to sign a FERPA release to allow The Community Foundation to share data on the scholarship award with DC Government. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions within 4 weeks of application submission.

Applicants are also required to submit a Vendor Information Form as an attachment to their application. This form is intended to provide information to The Community Foundation about the program that the applicant intends to apply for scholarship funds to attend. Once Scholarship Applicants identify a program they'd like to receive scholarship funding to attend, they should contact the program to fill out this form. Once completed, please scan or print out this form and attach to your Scholarship Application.

Click here for the link to the Vendor Information Form!

Applicants are responsible for collecting the required documentation from the vendor listed in the RFP and at the end of the Vendor Information Form, and are encouraged to start gathering this information now to be ready when the application portal opens.

If you have questions or are encountering technical difficulties please contact Alex Cahill-Sanidas for support at [email protected].

For those seeking additional information, click here to read the full RFP or watch this orientation video if you are interested in applying. La guía de solicitacíon y vídeo de orientacíon tambíen están disponíbles en Español.

Link to the Full OST Application Coming Soon!

If you have questions, please contact Yorman De La Rosa at [email protected]

Greater Washington Community Foundation Announces $10 Million in Grants to Foster Economic Mobility in DC

The Health Equity Fund at the Greater Washington Community Foundation has announced $10 million in multiyear funding to support important projects that foster economic mobility in Washington, DC. The grants will support 40 DC-serving nonprofit organizations – the largest funding cohort supported by the fund since its launch in 2022.

Given that 80 percent of DC’s health outcomes are driven by social, economic, and other factors, compared to just 20 percent by clinical care, the Health Equity Fund adopts an economic mobility frame to address the root causes of health disparities in the District.

Since 2022, the Fund has distributed more than $51.3 million with a focus on programs that increase economic mobility and wealth building, advance health advocacy, policy, and systems change initiatives, and support community-based strategies to prevent gun violence and increase public safety.

“We believe that achieving health equity requires more than improving individual health outcomes and expanding access to services,” said Tonia Wellons, President & CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation. “We must disrupt the societal factors shaped by centuries of laws, public policies, and practices that have worked together to produce the disparate outcomes we see today.”

“Building an equitable and prosperous Washington, DC means tackling health inequities at their core and creating strong pathways to opportunity so that everyone has a fair shot at leading their healthiest lives,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “Our city grows stronger when we partner with organizations that address both immediate needs and long-term growth, and together, we’re ensuring more of our residents have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive for generations to come.”

“The Health Equity Fund's investment in economic mobility and wealth-building initiatives reflects a strategic approach to advance not only health outcomes but also financial stability and opportunity for our residents. This work aligns with DISB’s mission to protect and empower our most vulnerable communities, ensuring they have access to the resources needed for long-term success,” said Karima Woods, Commissioner of the DC Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB).

A committee composed of Community Foundation staff, community members, and representatives of local foundations and think tanks reviewed proposals from eligible applicants. The 40 selected grant recipients include diverse organizations and projects, including:

• DC Public Education Fund - DCPS and DCPEF are proposing an “Earn While You Learn Model” at DCPS’s Opportunity Academies. This program will support DCPS students who choose to transition to a career after graduation by providing a combination of coaching, skill-building and certification, and direct-to-student cash payments.

• birdSEED – birdSEED will give no-strings attached grants to first time BIPOC homebuyers in Washington, DC.

• My Sister’s Place – Continued funding to provide 30 families with $500/month of guaranteed cash assistance through the RISE Trust program. The program also provides voluntary financial education and workforce development. Clients in the program are individuals and families recovering from domestic violence from underserved communities in DC.

• SpeakOut, Inc - SpeakOut’s Project Amplify is a community-driven workforce development training program that meets the unmet needs of Transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals in the workplace.

• WomenPalante - Women Palante empowers 25 Latina mothers per cohort, aiming to launch at least 10 new local businesses per year.

“Our work at CareFirst has shown that forging intentional pathways to economic mobility is a key driver of improving the social drivers of health, and this fund intends to do just that, creating a thriving and more inclusive economy in the District,” said Brian D. Pieninck, President and CEO of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. “We are committed to doing this important work in partnership with the community organizations that meet individuals where they are so we can connect them to the resources and care they deserve.” 

This latest funding cohort included several returning partners from the inaugural grant round in 2022. Returning partners were asked to share impact from the previous round as part of their application process. A complete list of grant recipients is listed below.

About the Health Equity Fund

The Health Equity Fund was created to improve the health outcomes and health equity of DC residents. The fund is governed by a seven-member Health Equity Committee in partnership with the Greater Washington Community Foundation. The seven-member committee includes Nnemdi Elias, MD, MPH; Dr. Tollie Elliott; Wendell L. Johns; Lori Kaplan; Juan M. Jara; Kimberly Harris; and Courtney R. Snowden.

For more information about the Health Equity Fund and available funding opportunities, please visit our website! 

2024 Health Equity Fund Partners (* = Returning Partner)

• AsylumWorks*

• Ayuda, Inc.

• Beloved Community Incubator, Inc*

• birdSEED

• Building Futures

• Calvary Women Services, Inc*

• Capital Youth Empowerment Program*

• Council for Court Excellence*

• DC Affordable Law Firm*

• DC Appleseed  Center for Law & Justice

• DC Central Kitchen Inc*

• DC Jobs with Justice

• DC KinCare Alliance

• DC Public Education Fund

• Emerald Cities Collaborative Inc

• Fair Chance

• First Shift Justice Project*

• Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop*

• Generation Hope*

• Healthy Baby Project, Inc*

• Helping Individual Prostitutes Survive (HIPS)*

• Many Languages One Voice

• Mi Casa My House Inc.

• My Sister’s Place*

• Network for Developing Conscious Communities

• Open City Advocates

• Organizing Neighborhood Equity*

• Rebuilding Together Alexandria

• Rising for Justice*

• ROC-DC

• RUMA Collective

• Sinai Assisted Housing Foundation

• Social Justice Public Charter School, Inc

• SpeakOut, Inc

• The Platform of Hope

• The School Justice Project Inc

• The Young Women’s Project*

• Tzedek DC, Inc*

• WomenPalante

• Yachad, Incorporated*

Meet Our Health Equity Nonprofit Partners

In October 2024, The Community Foundation’s Health Equity Fund announced $10 million in multiyear funding to support 40 important projects that foster economic mobility in Washington, DC.

The investment included organizations who are receiving funding from the Health Equity Fund for the first time, as well as a number of returning organizations who received funding through the inaugural Health Equity Fund grant round in September 2022. Returning partners were asked to share what they have learned and how our ongoing partnership supports the work they are doing in the community.

The Community Foundation is excited to support the work and mission of our nonprofit partners, as together we seek to build a more equitable and inclusive region.

New Nonprofit Partners

• Network for Developing Conscious Communities

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Ward 7

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  To renew and inspire collective consciousness in community development through intentional engagement that builds sustainable power in Black communities

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  Receiving funding from the Health Equity Fund is exciting because it will enable us to implement initiatives that directly address economic disparities in our communities. With this funding, we aim to develop targeted programs that promote cooperative businesses, improve cooperative business education, and foster community engagement, ultimately leading to better economic outcomes for underserved populations. We are committed to creating a sustainable impact that empowers individuals and enhances overall community economic well-being.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  I am excited about the future of our community because of the strong sense of collaboration and resilience that is emerging among residents. As more people come together to advocate for positive change and address local challenges, we are seeing innovative solutions and programs take shape. With increased access to resources, education, and opportunities for engagement, I believe we can build a healthier, more equitable community where everyone has the chance to thrive and contribute to collective growth.

• The Platform of Hope

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Columbia Heights, Adams-Morgan, Ward 1

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  Our mission is to enhance the ability of families of color to define and pursue success while building community by connecting them with coaching, services and one another. Together, we amplify the experiences of DC area families and address systemic barriers to success.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  With this funding we hope to see 50% of our program families reach their self-defined financial and housing goals. We hope to see families who are striving to improve gain access to education opportunities that enable career advancement, home ownership, and overall economic mobility. We want to see families increase their social capital and be empowered to understand the systemic barriers impacting day to day success.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  I am excited about the agency and autonomy of our community. As they go through our coaching, workshops, and family centered events their voices are the key component driving the organization forward to reach new goals.

• Sinai Assisted Housing Foundation, Inc

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Sinai Assisted Housing Foundation, Inc. provides transitional housing and critical services to families experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity in Washington, DC.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  Our mission is to enable families to move from homelessness to independence by providing safe and affordable housing, comprehensive social services and financial support.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  With support from the Health Equity Fund, we are excited to strengthen our focus on economic mobility by expanding our efforts in supporting families experiencing homelessness in accessing deeply affordable housing. We will also eradicate financial predation within our community through clinical financial navigation and increasing access to legal representation.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  We are excited to create space to openly discuss and address financial need without judgement, we look to a future that is free from the cycle of economic immobility and increasing wealth becomes a norm.

• School Justice Project

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  SJP serves clients throughout DC. The majority of our clients reside in Ward 8 (30%), followed by Ward 7 (16%), and clients experiencing homelessness (13%). We also currently represent or have represented clients living in Wards 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  SJP uses special education law to ensure that older, court-involved students with disabilities can access a quality education. SJP's special education attorneys work with their clients to protect and enforce special education rights. Through our individual representation and systemic advocacy programs, we aim to spark a system-wide overhaul, changing the educational landscape for older, court-involved students with special education needs who are involved in DC's juvenile and criminal legal systems.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  SJP is thrilled to receive this funding from the Health Equity Fund! We will use this funding to support hiring SJP’s first social worker, which will enable SJP to provide more holistic services. The social worker will work closely with our clients in the community to access stable health and mental healthcare to allow our clients to work on their overall wellbeing.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  SJP’s target population, all of whom are students of color with disabilities, experience the compounded health and economic effects of lack of access to education and incarceration. As a result, this population of young people is grossly adversely affected by economic and health disparities. But increasing education and reducing incarceration, the goals of our work, both have positive effects on economic mobility and health outcomes. We are excited to see how adding a social worker to our team will further these goals and lead to better outcomes for the young people in our client community.

• Building Futures

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Ward 8

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  Building Futures' mission is to empower individuals to embrace their authentic selves through inclusive and supportive yoga practices. It focuses on promoting physical and emotional well-being while fostering personal growth and resilience. The goal is to inspire a lifestyle rooted in self-care, mindfulness, and positive connections within the community.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  We're excited about the funding for the youth printing coop as it will equip young people with vital skills in design and entrepreneurship. Participants will receive stipends for their hard work, empowering them and fostering a sense of ownership. This initiative will create a supportive community where they can collaborate, learn, and grow together, positively impacting their futures and our community as a whole.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  We are excited about the future of our community as we embrace the principles of the solidarity economy, which prioritizes collaboration and support over competition. By involving our kids in this movement and incorporating healing practices, we’re empowering them to create a work environment that values community welfare instead of capitalist ideals, fostering creativity and innovation. This holistic approach not only cultivates a sense of belonging and emotional wellness but also enables future generations to pursue meaningful work that contributes positively to society, free from the constraints of traditional capitalism.

• RUMA Collective

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  We serve folks at the intersection of multiply oppressed identities including but not limited to: Black, Queer, Trans, Gender Non Conforming, Femme, Single /Primary parent, Immigrant or of immigrant dissent, Indigenous, Disabled, Neurodivergent.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  RUMA Collective promotes the health and financial wellbeing of undeserved creatives through access to healthcare, financial tools, operations support and leadership development. We serve those that exist at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  We are excited to algin with a funder who understands the complexity of health equity! We hope to use this funding to pioneer innovative programming for creatives and entrepreneurs of all kinds, that gets to the core of what it means to build a fully sustainable life.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  RUMA see's a future where access to resources for diverse communities includes psychological and culturally competent care.

• Ayuda

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Ayuda serves low-income immigrants in the DC Metropolitan area.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  Ayuda provides legal, social, and language services to help low-income immigrants in our neighborhoods access justice and transform their lives. For over 50 years, we have served more than 150,000 low-income immigrants throughout Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. Ayuda’s expert and dedicated professionals help immigrants from anywhere in the world navigate the immigration and justice systems and access the social safety net. This comprehensive and welcoming approach breaks down barriers, helps those in need, and makes our communities stronger!

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  With the Health Equity Fund, Ayuda will work with professional associations to award scholarships to interpreters who are low income, BIPOC and Deaf, and live in DC, covering costs associated with interpreter trainings, certification exams, and professional membership fees, attend conferences, and purchase equipment and software (laptop computers and accessories) needed for remote interpreting. Ayuda believes that increased access to professional training, certifications, and resources will catalyze economic mobility and improve health outcomes for low-income BIPOC and Deaf individuals. By reducing the financial barriers to entering the interpreting profession, Ayuda aims to create pathways out of poverty and precarity and toward economic self-sufficiency.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  As this population achieves greater economic mobility, the ripple effect disrupts the cycle of poverty in their communities, ultimately promoting racial and health equity. Scholarship recipients who graduate from trainings or receive a passing score on their certification exams will gain skills, become ideal candidates for Ayuda’s specialized trainings and trainings from other organizations, receive offers to accept paid assignments from Ayuda’s interpreter banks as independent contractors, and be open to work for other interpreter agencies via the connections they make through the associations they join.

• DC KinCare Alliance

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  DC KinCare Alliance supports DC-area relative caregivers (predominantly Black women) who step up to raise children in their extended families when the children’s parents cannot. Approximately 22,000 Black and Brown DC children live in kinship care arrangements, about 20% of all DC children of color. The majority live at or near the poverty level. Our work is guided by the needs of our kinship family constituents who live in all DC wards, but primarily Wards 5, 7, and 8.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  DC KinCare Alliance supports relative caregivers who raise DC’s most vulnerable and at-risk children in times of crisis when their parents are unable to care for them for reasons including death, incarceration, substance use or mental health disorders, child abuse, or deportation. We empower relatives to care for these children by providing legal representation, education, support groups, and advocacy.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  DC KinCare Alliance is excited to launch an innovative Community Organizing program that will elevate and amplify the voices of the historically marginalized community of DC’s kinship caregivers. Through this project, we will work alongside these constituents to reshape policy, social services, and programs that disproportionately limit their opportunities for economic mobility, health resources, and wealth-building.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  By shifting advocacy and community organizing control so that our work is being led by those most affected by health and wealth disparities, we are excited to engage in truly antiracist work. This style of disruptive and innovative work is most effective for building horizontal communities, engaging multiple spheres of influence, and harnessing existing formal and informal networks. We look forward to empowering our community to have their voices heard and have a continuous say in the policies that affect them.

• Social Justice Public Charter School

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  At Social Justice School, we proudly serve scholar-activists from 5th to 8th grade across all eight wards of Washington, D.C. As an open-enrollment school, we welcome students from a wide range of backgrounds, reflecting diversity in race, socioeconomic status, and home languages. Our mission is to create an inclusive and empowering learning environment for all of our scholar-activists, wherever they call home in the city.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  Our mission is to catalyze an integrated community of middle-school learners to be scholar-activists who are designers of a more just world. In order to design a more just world, our students require an education that embraces and lives out a set of core beliefs about what it means to be human. At Social Justice School, we believe that love, learning, and liberation are at the heart of this mission. Our Guaranteed Together pilot embodies these values by seeking to disrupt intergenerational poverty through direct cash payments, providing families with the financial stability they need to thrive. This program goes hand in hand with our educational approach, which is rooted in love—recognizing the dignity and worth of every individual, learning—fostering intellectual growth and critical thinking, and liberation—equipping our scholar-activists to challenge systemic inequities and create lasting change. Together, we are building a future where education and economic justice intersect to create a more equitable society for all.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  We are excited to use this funding to create a transformative education model that integrates academic growth, student and family empowerment, and economic mobility. By embedding social justice principles and providing direct cash assistance, we aim to demonstrate that this approach not only boosts academic achievement but also promotes long-term economic mobility for our families.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  What excites me most about the future for our community is the transformative potential of the Guaranteed, Together pilot at Social Justice School. This project allows us to fundamentally shift the educational model by acknowledging poverty as the root cause of the opportunity gap that has long plagued our system. I’m excited to build a model that links economic mobility with a liberatory education, empowering our families to not only survive but thrive. Most importantly, I’m inspired by the vision of families and children having the financial security to meet their basic needs, giving them the freedom to dream and design a more just world. This is the kind of systemic change that can uplift entire generations.

• birdseed, inc

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  birdSEED gives no-strings attached downpayment assistance grants to BIPOC first time homebuyers from the Washington DC area.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  birdSEED helps close the racial wealth gap by supporting historically disadvantaged communities achieve home ownership. We do this by giving down payment assistance grants.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  With funding from the Health Equity Fund we will give no-strings attached grants to BIPOC residents of Washington DC who purchase a home in Washington DC. This funding will reduce displacement of DC residents to the surrounding areas and allow recipients to establish a home of their own in the District.

• DC Public Education Fund

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  DC Public Education Fund supports DC Public Schools in its implementation of its boldest and most innovative ideas. DCPEF's work supports students in every ward of DC, and is excited to pilot its Earn & Learn program at DCPS's Opportunity Academies with the support of the Greater Washington Community Foundation.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  In service of DC Public Schools (DCPS), DC Public Education Fund (DCPEF) fills a critical need in the community providing access to private funding to incubate innovative solutions to long-standing district needs. Since 2007, it has partnered with over 61 organizations to raise over $185 million to provide funding for key DCPS initiatives and catalyze positive change for over 50,000 students in DC, driving development in a number of areas, including: whole-child/anti-racist educational practices, a district-wide Reading Clinic, and a first-of-its-kind college persistence program for DCPS graduates. Ultimately, these initiatives are in service of ensuring DC’s young people are succeeding academically, feel loved, challenged, and prepared at school, and are set up for a lifetime of success.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  We’re thrilled to receive this funding as it will fuel the launch of our Earn & Learn program at DCPS's Opportunity Academies. This support allows us to provide traditionally underserved students with direct financial resources while they work toward their high school diploma and career certifications. The funding is pivotal in helping students overcome barriers to education and employment, and it will set them on a path toward greater economic security and health equity.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  We’re excited for the ripple effect this program will have on the community. By equipping students with industry-recognized credentials and supporting them with direct-to-student payments, we expect to see increased economic mobility and stability for these students and their families. This is about more than just jobs—it's about transforming lives, improving health outcomes, and empowering the next generation to thrive in high-quality careers, which will strengthen our entire city.

• DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  DC Appleseed serves everyone who lives or works in the District of Columbia.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  For thirty years and through litigation, teamwork, and advocacy, DC Appleseed has made the District of Columbia a better place to live and work. Independent and non-partisan, DC Appleseed works to expand democracy, promote economic mobility, and advance racial equity. Our collaboration with pro bono attorneys, volunteer professionals, and engaged community members is the backbone of our work, allowing us to leverage a small staff to tackle complex and diverse projects that improve the District.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  DC Appleseed and its partners in the Long Term Care Coalition hope to address a growing crisis: the number of direct care workers in DC is decreasing and, at the same time, the need for services is rising. We aim to improve the quality of jobs in this sector by raising wages, improving benefits, and increasing training opportunities, which will, in turn, increase access to quality care for all consumers.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  Discussions around healthcare increasingly focus on equity and eliminating disparities. Naming the problem is a strong first step to bringing the right stakeholders to the tables and addressing these inequities to ensure all members of our community thrive.

• Speakout, Inc

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Speakout primarily serves the LGBTQIA+ community in Washington, DC, and Prince George's County, offering a range of services aimed at fostering inclusivity, visibility, and support. Our organization focuses on creating safe spaces for the community through a variety of initiatives. We host community events like the annual I AM Awards, which celebrates contributions from LGBTQIA+ individuals, along with workshops, and social gatherings that bring people together. Our cultural competency training helps local businesses and organizations better understand LGBTQ+ issues, ensuring their environments are inclusive and welcoming. In collaboration with local healthcare providers, Speakout offers health and wellness initiatives, including access to gender-affirming care, mental health support, and health screenings. We’re committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights, especially for trans and non-binary individuals, ensuring they receive the resources and recognition they deserve. Speakout also emphasizes youth engagement, partnering with schools and community centers to create safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ youth. These programs focus on education, empowerment, and personal development, giving young people the support they need to thrive. By serving both Washington, DC, and Prince George's County, Speakout bridges communities, ensuring that LGBTQIA+ individuals have the resources, support, and recognition they deserve, all while advocating for a more inclusive future.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  Speakout's mission is to support and empower the LGBTQIA+ community in Washington, DC, and Prince George's County through advocacy, education, and inclusive community-building. We focus on creating safe spaces, improving access to healthcare and mental health services, and providing visibility and support for LGBTQIA+ individuals, with a special emphasis on youth and marginalized identities.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  Receiving funding from the Health Equity Fund excites us because it will allow us to expand access to critical health services and financial empowerment resources for the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly in underserved areas. With this support, we hope to provide comprehensive gender-affirming care, mental health resources, health screenings, and financial literacy programs, ensuring both health and economic well-being for all. This funding will help us advocate for the holistic well-being and visibility of marginalized groups.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  I am excited about the future for our community as we see increasing visibility and acceptance of LGBTQIA+ individuals, which paves the way for meaningful change. Growing support from allies, improved policies, and expanded access to resources create a more inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. I believe that with continued advocacy and collaboration, we can empower our community to achieve greater health, economic stability, and overall well-being.

• Mi Casa, Inc

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Mi Casa serves 1,600 residents in the District of Columbia annually. Of the residents we serve, 40% are at or below 30% of Area Median Income (AMI), 35% are between 31-50% AMI, and 25% are between 51-80% AMI. Approximately 45% identify as Latino and other recent immigrants (including immigrants from Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa) and 50% identify as Black. Despite many of these homes being multi-person, a majority of them are housing-burdened or extremely housing-burdened, meaning they spend more than one-third or one-half of their income on housing.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  For thirty years, Mi Casa has been dedicated to providing quality affordable housing to low- and moderate-income households in the Washington, D.C. area. Mi Casa is a Latino-led affordable housing nonprofit supporting D.C. residents primarily at extremely low-income levels, the majority of whom identify as immigrants, Latino, or Black. Propelled by the belief that housing is a basic human right, Mi Casa works to increase the supply of affordable and supportive housing, to remove the barriers to obtaining affordable housing, and to increase the economic security of households with low incomes.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  Mi Casa works to foster economic mobility among historically marginalized communities and reduce barriers to affordable, supportive housing in the District of Columbia. To achieve these goals, we partner with residents to stave off the rapid gentrification taking place in historically Black, Latino, and immigrant-occupied neighborhoods. Through the support of the Health Equity Fund, Mi Casa will partner with residents to pilot Wealth Creation Funds through Limited Equity Cooperatives (LECs) as a tool for economic mobility and wealth creation.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  Mi Casa envisions a world where all individuals and families have access to affordable and sustainable housing. Strong District neighborhoods occur when people are empowered to make decisions about their environment, community, and neighborhood. We believe that in facing the current challenges for affordable housing we will be able to steward a more just and equitable future for the diverse residents of DC’s vibrant neighborhoods.

• Women Palante

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Our work concentrates on Wards 1 in Columbia Heights, Washington, D.C. We have targeted zip codes 2009 and 20010, where our partner schools are.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  To empower Latina women, particularly mothers, by providing holistic, science-based trainings that enhance their emotional, physical, mental and financial health through business education, brain-based wellbeing, mindfulness, yoga, and community connection.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  We are thrilled about this funding as it will allow us to scale our flagship program, Mompreneurs, which empowers Latina women, especially mothers, through comprehensive, science-based training that enhances their emotional, physical, mental, and financial well-being. With this support, we plan to expand our team, enhance our program offerings, and reach more women in need. Currently, we have 64 women on our waiting list, and while we registered 68 participants in our last cohort, we could only support 26. Our goal is to graduate 50 women within the grant term, demonstrating the significant demand for our program.

  In summary, the success of this grant will be marked by expanded programming and strengthened operational capacity, leading to measurable improvements in the health and well-being of women and families. By focusing on economic mobility, wealth building, and health equity through a community-centered approach, Women Palante is dedicated to creating lasting change in the lives of Latina women in the Greater Washington, DC area. Our nonprofit serves as a beacon for female entrepreneurs with a unique holistic approach to business acumen and well-being. With the Greater Washington Community Foundation Health Equity Fund's support, we are committed to closing the gap in access to our Mompreneurs program, ultimately contributing to improved health outcomes and community wealth building.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  The future for our community is incredibly promising as we focus on building strong, supportive networks. Entrepreneurship can often feel isolating, which can negatively impact mental health. Our approach not only provides essential resources to address these challenges but also fosters community support that boosts confidence and encourages shared opportunities. Feedback from participants highlights the power of this collective support, where they feel empowered to persevere and thrive together.

  We recognize that loneliness and depression often stem from personal challenges, trauma, and financial stress, leaving many Latina women feeling isolated. By creating a safe and nurturing environment, we allow participants to share their experiences and provide mutual support, helping them overcome challenges and grow together.

  Through our programs, women form meaningful relationships and a sense of sisterhood, knowing they are not alone. We provide access to resources like low-cost psychotherapy, lending services, and cultural events, helping women fully engage with the community and explore new opportunities. With this grant, we plan to host more community-led events, ensuring we remain connected and can continue to offer resources and support for their businesses and well-being. Together, this robust network empowers women to overcome challenges and thrive.

• Open City Advocates

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Our clients typically range from 16-25 years old and are (or were formerly) committed to the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS). “Commitment” to DYRS means that a young person is a ward of the city, oftentimes until age 21, and that their placement in a facility, level of care, and supportive services may change throughout this time without court oversight. There are extreme racial disparities in the youth delinquency system nationwide, with Black and Latino/a children being committed and incarcerated at 4.7 times the rate compared to their white peers. It is even more extreme in the District of Columbia, where 100% of all committed children are children of color, and 93% are Black, while Black youth comprise only 51% of the DC youth population.

  The majority of OCA’s clients hail from Wards 7 and 8, where residents experience DC’s highest rates of child poverty, school dropout, unemployment, and gun violence. Our other clients come from neighborhoods in Wards 1, 4, 5, and 6 that are experiencing similar crises. OCA’s clients have had extensive contact with the delinquency system and are often disconnected from school and other community supports; most have also been in DC’s child welfare system, and all are at high risk for entering the DC Jail or being harmed or killed by street violence. In our 19-year history, we have lost six of our young people to gun violence and one to a drug overdose. OCA works tirelessly to help our youth envision and actualize a healthy adulthood instead of accepting death or incarceration by age 25.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  Open City Advocates provides youth-centered legal defense and holistic advocacy for young people after sentencing in the DC juvenile justice system and works for systemic improvements to the juvenile justice system, both locally and nationally, to better the lives of marginalized children and youth. OCA’s unique combination of long-term mentoring and comprehensive advocacy tackles our clients’ challenges head on and gives youth the tools they need to succeed.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  Using COVID relief funds over the past three years, we have provided attendance-based scholarship stipends to our clients enrolled in school or workforce development programs, and we are thrilled that Health Equity Fund’s support will enable us to continue providing these scholarship stipends.

  These scholarship stipends have been extremely effective in helping our clients exit the revolving door of poverty and the criminal justice system. Contrasted with the high re-arrest rate of 93% for children committed to DYRS, ours is a highly effective program: for our clients who have received a scholarship stipend for more than six months, only 15% have been re-arrested so far, and none have been re-convicted.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  Our vision is a legal system that is equitable, fair, and compassionate towards children and youth. Through this project, by providing scholarship stipends and basic needs assistance to young people who are returning from incarceration, OCA will provide the connectivity to services and supports that our clients need to thrive throughout the reentry process. By providing a scholarship stipend if our clients enroll in school or a workforce development program, we are thereby creating a crucial bridge to education and job training. The logic here is simple: providing stipends for education and internship opportunities enables clients who face poverty and racial injustice to make decisions under less severe constraints. All of these critical supports directly assist our clients with reintegration, break the cycle of unemployment, help to avoid homelessness, reduce recidivism and tackle the extreme racial and economic disparities facing our clients and their families.

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Returning Nonprofit Partners

• DC Central Kitchen

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Our Culinary Job Training program primarily serves residents East of the Anacostia River in Wards 7 and 8, but we have citywide reach with growing demand for our services in Wards 1, 4, 5, and 6.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  Founded in 1989 as the nation's first “community kitchen,” DC Central Kitchen uses food as a tool to strengthen bodies, empower minds, and build communities. Our holistic model provides culinary training and employment opportunities to hundreds of people annually while serving thousands of healthy, locally sourced meals each day, addressing the immediate effects and root causes of hunger in our community.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  DC Central Kitchen is excited to link our proven workforce development model with holistic investments and partnerships that enhance our students’ health, wellbeing, and long-term outlook. Workforce development isn’t just training and credentials—it’s comprehensively identifying talents, reducing barriers, building confidence, and shifting power, and these resources will help us do just that.

  For Returning Partners - What have you learned over the past two years? Please include any brief insights or impact numbers you may have -- especially those related to economic mobility in the communities you serve.

  DC Central Kitchen has learned how to better address the depth and complexity of employment barriers that face our neighbors who have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic, racial inequities, and the criminal justice system. Through innovative and strategic partnerships as well as investments in building and engaging relatable mentors, we are fostering economic mobility along with robust community leadership.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  We are excited because the District of Columbia has everything it needs to succeed. Shifting how our community identifies, engages, celebrates, and aligns those remarkable assets will determine our ability to create a more inclusive economy where every Washingtonian has the assets, access, and opportunities they need to thrive.

• Yachad

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Yachad works primarily in Wards 4, 5, 7 and 8.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  Yachad is a nonprofit housing organization that brings together local communities to make affordable housing safe and healthy, creating equity and wealth for families while preserving and revitalizing neighborhoods. Yachad is a Hebrew word that means "together."

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  This funding is an opportunity to provide support to lower income families seeking to purchase their first home or are new homeowners. In the past, our work has supported homeowners who have lived in their homes for several years or even decades. With this funding, Yachad can ensure that homes are inspected well before purchase, provide home remediation assistance if needed, earlier, and see that families have sufficient home maintenance information to be knowledgeable homeowners.

  For Returning Partners - What have you learned over the past two years? Please include any brief insights or impact numbers you may have -- especially those related to economic mobility in the communities you serve.

  Yachad's mantra continues to be "Where you live matters." We have seen this even more so over the past several years as an HEF grantee. Having sufficient resources to be able to efficiently and competently provide critical home repairs to our homeowners has been a game changer in terms of providing strong foundations for a family's continuing success at home and in the community. So many families have shared stories with us about not worrying about their roofs leaking or waking up with an asthma attack because repairs have been made. A family can go about their daily business because their homes are not making them sick. These same families have a chance to build wealth through the home equity that they are achieving by new investments in neighborhoods and in their own homes. Families can remain in their homes building wealth and achieving better health.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  We are excited because the importance of stable home ownership is being understood by more people at the city and federal levels. Investing in wealth building through home ownership is a central theme in our upcoming Presidential election. The more resources targeted at supporting successful home ownership for lower income families, the more racial and economic equity can be achieved in the near future.

• ONE DC

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  ONE DC serves communities of color, the working poor, immigrants, and other oppressed people in all 8 Wards of DC.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  At ONE DC, our mission is to exercise political strength to create and preserve racial and economic equity in Shaw and the District. We seek to create a community in DC that is equitable for all.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  ONE DC is excited because the funding provides much needed support, creates opportunities for long term DC residents and focuses on the population the Health Equity Fund is designed to support and sustains. It is a big relief and encouragement to have such solid funding. This is very exciting and makes the Health Workers Collective viable.

  For Returning Partners - What have you learned over the past two years? Please include any brief insights or impact numbers you may have -- especially those related to economic mobility in the communities you serve.

  ONE DC learned that worker cooperatives need a lot of training support and economic support. We impacted over 200 DC residents through workshops, community events, and cooperative education training. Skills development training in leading, managing, and incorporating worker cooperatives is key to the sustainability of these community ventures.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  ONE DC continues to recruit more volunteers and members to join our work. We've worked to provide a space within our community where people can strengthen their education on topics that affect them and work alongside one another to enact change. This is something that we've done since our inception and something we will do for as long as ONE DC is operating. ONE DC is excited to continue our work and community outreach in hopes of creating real, impactful change in Washington, DC.

• Council for Court Excellence

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  CCE’s work ultimately impacts all D.C. residents whether they are involved in the criminal justice system, called for jury service, or need access to justice through probate, rent assistance, or many other justice system services and mechanisms. However, we know that throughout D.C.’s legal system, Black people are disproportionately impacted, especially residents of Wards 5, 7 and 8. While Black people make up 41.4% of D.C.’s population, they make up 86% of the people arrested, 87% of the people jailed, and 90% of the people in prison. People incarcerated at the D.C. Jail are overwhelmingly from just a few neighborhoods in Wards 5, 7, and 8, and those neighborhoods have the greatest number of residents who have previously been incarcerated. One in seven adults in the District has a publicly available criminal record and it is estimated that only 30 to 50% of these individuals are able to find and maintain employment.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  The Council for Court Excellence (CCE) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that envisions a justice system in the District that equitably serves its people. CCE identifies and proposes solutions by collaborating with diverse stakeholders to conduct research, advance policy, educate the public, and increase civic engagement.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  We’re excited to receive HEF funding because it will allow CCE’s Second Chance Hiring Alliance to expand upon our efforts to reduce barriers to employment for returning citizens and those with criminal records (collectively, “justice impacted”) in our area. Our overarching goals are to: educate D.C. employers on the importance and benefits of second chance hiring, encourage them to hire justice impacted people, and facilitate effective collaboration between our coalition of D.C.-area employers, government agencies, community-based organizations, workforce development programs, and job readiness programs. With this HEF funding, we will recruit new business members to join the Alliance and commit to second chance hiring; create and disseminate educational resources for employers on the benefits, incentives, and legal protections offered in the District for second chance employers; and create more awareness and “positive peer pressure” on businesses to encourage them to increase their second chance hiring efforts.

  For Returning Partners - What have you learned over the past two years? Please include any brief insights or impact numbers you may have -- especially those related to economic mobility in the communities you serve.

  Over the last two years, we’ve seen significant changes in how the District’s leaders and residents think and talk about community safety, prosecutions, and incarceration. Without a doubt, it is important to respect peoples’ concerns about crime and how it has impacted communities. At the same time, we’ve learned that it is important to lead with accurate information and data when addressing policies surrounding the criminal legal system and avoid demonizing people whose involvement in crime is often a product of health and economic inequities and gaps. Numerically, we have, unfortunately, seen an increase in the reliance on incarceration during the past two years in the District, and have not seen a measurable rise in returning citizen employment yet – with only 54% of the “employable” individuals on supervised release having a job in 2023. We have learned, therefore, that there is much work to do and that it is critical to bring together unlikely partnerships, actively myth-bust stereotypes about returning citizens, and to stay the course, even when there are short-term blips in public sentiment around the criminal justice system and justice-involved people. On a program implementation level, we learned that “cold” outreach to businesses was less effective than making contact through/via Alliance members and partners. In developing this proposal, we have reflected that by emphasizing outreach through and with partner organizations like the Greater Washington Black Chamber of Commerce and the Responsible Business Initiative for Justice.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  We are excited to support a future where individuals with criminal records in D.C. can have ample opportunities to find a stable, rewarding job and improve their economic well-being. As we begin to see growing employer, policymaker, and public support for “second chances,” we are excited about a future that is more inclusive and where more partners work together to see returning citizens and others with criminal records thrive.

• Rebuilding Together DC Alexandria

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  all 8 wards in DC, the City of Alexandria, VA

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  Rebuilding Together DC Alexandria (RTDCA) has been a vital force in community service for nearly 40 years. Our foundation lies in the belief that every individual deserves a safe and healthy home environment. Our focus extends to serving vulnerable populations, including older adults, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and families with children, by providing them with free safety- and health-related home repairs and upgrades. Recognizing that poor housing conditions disproportionately affect these groups, our mission is grounded in the understanding that addressing housing challenges can have a profound impact on one’s health, well-being, and economic stability.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  Our research and experience support the strong connection between health and safety hazards in the home and the health, safety, and well-being of the home’s residents, especially related to asthma and other breathing issues, falls in the home, mental health and stress, and financial stress. Health Equity funds will allow us to improve living conditions, free of charge, for our low-income clients, allowing them to stay in their homes, and spend their limited incomes on food, transportation, medical and wellness needs.

  For Returning Partners - What have you learned over the past two years? Please include any brief insights or impact numbers you may have -- especially those related to economic mobility in the communities you serve.

  Based upon interviews with clients during a recent Client Impact Study, short-term post-intervention outcomes showed that 99% of homeowners were satisfied with living in their homes, 92% saved on costs that would have created financial burdens, and 68% had decreased energy bills -- all improving their financial stability and economic mobility. Also, our recent Social Return on Investment study of our services showed that for every $1 invested in home repairs and modifications by RTDCA, there is a projected social return of $4.38. This value is being realized through increased economic security and independence, increased physical health and safety, improved mental health, and increased community connection of the clients we serve

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  What is most exciting is that these funds will enable us to help long-term residents remain in their homes, preserving their place in the communities they've been part of for decades!

• Beloved Community Incubator

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  We provide training, leadership development, and technical assistance (legal, bookkeeping) for worker-owned cooperatives and offer non-extractive lending through the DC Solidarity Economy Loan Fund. We have an explicitly multiracial organizing approach that includes both Black and brown migrant communities alongside Native Black Washingtonians, and we are active in Wards 1, 2, 4, 7 and 8.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  Beloved Community Incubator (BCI) is a solidarity economy movement organization, incubator, lender, and worker self-directed non-profit in Washington, DC. BCI focuses on building a regional solidarity economy that centers people, especially poor and working-class workers and people of color, over profit. We help create family sustaining jobs through worker-ownership and create market access for local BIPOC-owned businesses to close the racial wealth gap.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  This funding will help us to intentionally develop and grow the DC-area regional solidarity economy and the power of poor and working class workers of color throughout the region. We will focus on Black and migrant led cooperatives, creating an outreach pipeline and capacity building program and support strategic industries – such as home health care. We will continue to provide technical assistance and financing to preserve dozens of jobs in Washington, DC by facilitating the sale of businesses to current employees, and we will extend the scope of our regional listening to include focus groups with constituents in Wards 1, 5, 7, and 8 as well as EOR residents pushed into PG County. This regional listening will shape a 3-5 year agenda for expanding worker-ownership in the region.

  For Returning Partners - What have you learned over the past two years? Please include any brief insights or impact numbers you may have -- especially those related to economic mobility in the communities you serve.

  A main barrier communities of color face in starting and expanding businesses is a lack of access to capital. BCI built a curriculum that accompanies workers to build out their business model, create decision making structures, and understand financial models. We have learned over and over that a significant level of accompaniment and support is needed for groups of workers, especially those with employment, literacy, and tech barriers, to move from idea to operation. Currently in our loan pipeline through the DC Solidarity Economy Loan Fund, we have five groups with potential loans totaling $250,000-$500,000. Every major development leap that BCI has made as an organization began with listening. To shape our work over the next 3-5 years, we decided to begin a participatory action research campaign this summer to 500 conversations to learn what workers dream for their workplaces, as well as identify strategic opportunities. We are continuing this listening campaign with a second phase in the Spring. Already we are hearing paid sick days, workers compensation, and health savings funds are pressing issues for our members. We will continue to explore the direction of a collective economic project for BCI Network members to build together and we will continue to listen for strategic opportunities to catalyze growth and connection within the DC-area regional solidarity economy.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  Building a regional network coop by coop and weaving together those inherently “disruptive” businesses is an innovative and creative strategy to provide poor and working class BIPOC community members a powerful alternative to minimum wage labor and unreliable hours under the system of racialized capitalism. Business as usual means extraction from workers and our communities, where worker-ownership builds community wealth, better jobs, and higher wages. Currently we are working with a group of Ethiopian and Eritrean parents with special needs children who want to start an autism homecare business; 51st News the first worker-led newsroom in DC; a Black-owned yoga cooperative; and Rise Up Fitness, a Black-owned cooperative gym. Each of these businesses would be the first cooperative of its kind in our region – a future not possible without the deep accompaniment and training our organization provides.

• Fathers in Tech/Capital Youth Empowerment Program

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Wards 7 and Ward 8

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  CYEP promotes equity for underserved people through social skill development and economic mobility. The outcomes of FIT are two-fold, the results of the program include engaged, responsible fathers that can help financially support their families and children, in addition to guidance and support for economic mobility through skill building and corporate connection.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  The funding supports the organizational infrastructure critical to CYEP’s growth and sustainability. The funds will support the CFO position to ensure fiscal accountability, maintain a budgeting process, and oversee the audit process. In addition, the funds will support the Senior Staff Director which will provide supervision, support training for management staff. Investments in our executive team will pay dividends both now and in the future.

  For Returning Partners - What have you learned over the past two years? Please include any brief insights or impact numbers you may have -- especially those related to economic mobility in the communities you serve.

  Over the past two years CYEP has learned that collaboration with community networks are key to programmatic success. The community and corporate networks have created a more comprehensive and complete services for the families we serve. In addition, the partnerships are yielding more programmatic funding as partners observe the positive outcomes of services.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  The health equity fund is allowing for organizations to be innovative in how they serve the community. Our clients and community members are receiving both social skill development and barriers to economic mobility are being eliminated.

• AsylumWorks

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  AsylumWorks serves newcomers regardless of origin, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, and/or English ability in all DC neighborhoods/zip codes. With other grant funding, we also serve clients in Northern Virginia as well as Montgomery County and Prince George's County, Maryland. AsylumWorks serves people fleeing persecution who generally fall into the following categories: 1) Asylum seekers: Individuals seeking protection due to persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group; 2) Refugees and Asylees: Individuals who have been granted permanent legal protection offering a pathway to U.S. citizenship; and 3) Humanitarian Parolees: Individuals who have been granted temporary legal protection. This includes Afghan Allies and Ukrainian nationals.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  Our mission is to empower asylum seekers and other people seeking safety in the U.S. AsylumWorks provides critical services to underserved newcomers to reduce health disparities and increase access to justice.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  AsylumWorks sees the Greater Washington Community Foundation, and particularly the Health Equity Fund, as a thought leader and community leader for those serving the District’s most vulnerable populations. During the last year, we have strengthened our understanding of how health equity and justice are dependent on one another and improved how we frame and approach our work as a result. As we narrow our scope on the coming grant to bolster our E&E program specifically, we hope to increase our integration into the community network as we work towards shared objectives for increasing opportunities for economic mobility. We are invigorated to contribute to AIR, HEF, and other grantee outcomes on how to effectively serve our unique and deserving population.

  For Returning Partners - What have you learned over the past two years? Please include any brief insights or impact numbers you may have -- especially those related to economic mobility in the communities you serve.

  AsylumWorks has learned a great deal in the last two years, but two lessons stand out. First, AsylumWorks should strengthen relationships with other grantees. Given that our service population is very specific in the BIPOC community, it can be challenging to prioritize building relationships with other organizations when they don’t have an immediately evident service overlap. However, our work with the HEF Evaluator revealed multiple ways to engage with organizations that do not specifically target our clientele but still serve them. Moving forward, we see opportunities to build a stronger network with these organizations to enhance community support for our clients. Thus, community networking is key to one of our objectives in our Round 5 program.

  Second is that our service model can and should evolve as the needs of our clients do. Our program structure has changed in several ways since our initial award in 2022. We updated our approach to better serve our clients based on direct feedback. For example, we overhauled our E&E program in 2023 as a result of direct client feedback and thus reported lower service numbers during that time. In order to promote economic mobility, and not just economic stability, E&E staff developed original content specifically tailored to newcomers and English or computer-skill-limited clients, and developed several different service tracks that address the varied needs of newcomers in different stages of the immigration legal process. Now that our new program structure is in place, we have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from clients that they are more able to access opportunities they want and that pay well, rather than just simply securing any job opportunity they can get. We are ready to expand these services, as seen by the new initiatives proposed that will, in part, be funded by this grant.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  We feel we’re starting to see a shift in the immigrant-serving community away from just resettlement and more towards community integration, which is very exciting. AsylumWorks has always employed a model of care that recognizes that one kind of service alone is never enough; legal services alone or a survival job alone are not enough to truly empower newcomers to build lives with dignity where they can meet all their needs. To fully understand the needs of our clients, we employ newcomers themselves and involve them in all stages of program development and implementation. In 2023, our fellowship program was recognized by the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement as a national best practice, and a similar activity is now a core competency in ORR’s newest national grant.

  Since these milestones, we are thrilled to have been tapped to provide trainings to help other organizations adopt the program model. The hope for the fellowship program and our other community-led initiatives is that they would only temporarily be unique to us; our vision is a world where all newcomer-serving organizations, and even those who aren’t specific to newcomers, will move towards program models that are led by the communities they serve. We are so excited to contribute leadership to this shift and continue innovating new ideas that help immigrants and other BIPOC not just survive, but thrive.

• Calvary Women's Services

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Women experiencing homelessness in Wards 7 and 8

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  Calvary Women’s Services (Calvary) empowers women experiencing homelessness in Washington, DC, to transform their lives through housing, health, education, and employment programs. Each year, of the women who complete our programs, an average of 70% of women end their homelessness or maintain permanent housing.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  Calvary is excited to receive funding that will support our continued expansion, focused on economic empowerment for women. This will include tripling the size of our rental assistance program and piloting a guaranteed income program for women who are experiencing homelessness as a result of domestic violence.

  For Returning Partners - What have you learned over the past two years? Please include any brief insights or impact numbers you may have -- especially those related to economic mobility in the communities you serve.

  With the support of the Health Equity Fund, Calvary prioritized the expansion of our health services that work alongside economic resources like employment access and education support. We were able to serve more than 350 over the past two years, and 75% of women who completed our programs had secured income and/or employment.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  We are excited about the way that tools like guaranteed income can support generational changes and empower women to build wealth despite the systemic barriers they are facing.

• My Sister's Place

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  MSP serves approximately 500 survivors of domestic violence annually, roughly 40% women and 60% children. MSP primarily serves women and children of color experiencing low-income, with about 85% of our clients identifying as African American and 12% as Latinx. Our clients include many immigrants; we serve clients regardless of immigration status. Approximately 80% of clients live below the poverty line, earning less than $25,000 annually. Most adult clients are women in their early to mid-20s. Safe housing, financial security, and pathways to economic stability are cited as their most pressing needs. We accept clients from all zip codes of DC, though the majority come from Ward 7 (25%) , Ward 8 (36%), and Ward 5 (24%).

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  My Sister’s Place (MSP) shelters, supports and empowers survivors of domestic violence and their children, while providing leadership and education to build a supportive community. As one of DC’s oldest domestic violence shelters, MSP was founded in 1979 and has been serving survivors of domestic violence in DC for 45 years. MSP is unique in offering a full continuum of care to empower survivors in gaining long-term self-sufficiency, serving families from the first days of deciding to flee their abusive homes, to long after they have established their own homes. Our programs include emergency shelter, transitional housing, workforce development, cash assistance, children's programming, and aftercare.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  We are excited to be able to continue a deeply impactful program that directly addresses financial abuse while building economic security for survivors of domestic violence. Lack of affordable safe housing and financial instability are the main reasons survivors of domestic violence return to their abusers, with 98% of domestic violence survivors citing financial abuse, according to the WHO. RISE Trust directly addresses both by supporting our clients in transitional housing with $500/month for two years. We outline impact numbers below, but are most excited to see the direct positive impact on survivors, as reflected in our client’s own words below:
  
  “The RISE Trust program has made me feel the safest and most comfortable I have felt in about 8 years. My experience with this program has helped me or should I say gave me the support I need to be able to take care of myself and my son! With the support I receive I am able to make healthier decisions for a more positive and successful life.
  
  Over a two-year period, MSP hopes to accomplish:

  - 30 families reporting improved health and wellbeing as represented by reporting increased access to healthcare, childcare, employment, and an overall reduction in stress.

  - 30 families gaining proficiency in personal finances including developing and implementing monthly budgets, improved credit scores, and building savings.

  - 30 families improving their economic stability as represented by increased income, increased employment or career readiness, and a path to permanent stable housing.

  For Returning Partners - What have you learned over the past two years? Please include any brief insights or impact numbers you may have -- especially those related to economic mobility in the communities you serve.

  In the one-year survey compared to the initial survey of our RISE Trust program, the percentage of clients who reported that they could not access or afford healthcare dropped from 31% to 6%. Similarly, the percentage of clients who said they could not access or afford childcare dropped by 25%. Clients were also twice as likely to report that they had a trusted person to ask for advice on their finances. The majority of funds were used on basic needs (19%), utilities and bills (24%), and transportation (13%).

  Qualitative impact has also been measured in case management meetings and notes. Some clients made investments in their transportation in the form of car repairs, paying for tickets, insurance, and even making advance payments and paying off their vehicles. Other clients have been able to make payments towards their credit card debt, or debt with the IRS. Still others have been able to provide extra-curricular activities or thoroughly celebrate momentous occasions for their children, impacting family engagement, moral and mental health. RISE Trust payments have also been beneficial to clients who are students but not currently employed. Lastly, some have saved a portion of their funds in preparation for transitioning out of RISE, when they will have to make their own rental payments. Overall, participants reported an overall sense of relief and reduction in stress.

  One of the biggest lessons we learned through the first 18 months of the project was the value of financial education for clients who opted to participate, and the need to make those services as accessible as possible. MSP added a partnership with CFLS to help us expand Financial Literacy education options for clients, in addition to our partnership with CAAB. Moreover, we began to build out an in-house program, and recently hired our own Financial Education Specialist so that we can provide financial literacy in-house and to more clients. The position will partner closely with our current Workforce Development Manager, who launched our Workforce Development program in November 2023. We have seen a drastic increase in client participation around career readiness, employment training, and education goals through having a staff member in-house to follow-up with clients, provide 1:1 case management, and have continuity of care around workforce development. We are optimistic for a similar increase in engagement with an in-house Financial Education Specialist.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  We are excited to see Guaranteed Income pilots becoming more common, and for the precedent HEF is setting by continuing to fund programs like RISE Trust. Continued support sends a signal to other funders and the public that these programs are worth investing in. For domestic violence survivors in particular, economic security is essential to escaping abuse, and we are hopeful that with the example set by RISE Trust and other programs, cash assistance programs will become more common as wrap-around services to support survivors.

• HIPS

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  BIPOC communities engaged in street economies, trans/NB folks, PWUD, and sex workers in all wards of Washington DC

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  HIPS promotes the health, rights, and dignity of individuals and communities impacted by sexual exchange and/or drug use due to choice, coercion, or circumstance. HIPS provides compassionate harm reduction services, advocacy, and community engagement that is respectful, non-judgmental, and affirms and honors individual power and agency.

  We believe that those engaged in sex work, sex trade, and drug use should be able to live healthy, self-determined, and self-sufficient lives free from stigma, violence, criminalization or oppression. We will achieve this through engaging sex workers, drug users and our communities in challenging structural barriers to health, safety, and prosperity.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  Through support from the Health Equity Fund, HIPS will implement and evaluate radical human resources and community practices that support leadership development and equitable employment practices for LGBTQ+ BIPOC individuals with lived experience in street economies. Through our leadership learning collaborative, we will engage with other like minded organizations to build the capacity for a community of practice implementing and evaluating these models. Through this work, we will add support to our own staff (87% BIPOC individuals with lived street economy experience), and with our partner organization staff and other community members for equitable and anti-racist workforce development experiences which support the economic and career mobility of those most impacted by health and racial disparities.

  For Returning Partners - What have you learned over the past two years? Please include any brief insights or impact numbers you may have -- especially those related to economic mobility in the communities you serve.

  Our work prior to this project centered around Building Internal and External Equity for People in Street Economies. Part of this work was exploring ideas and concepts we have not had the capacity to bring to fruition. Our main lesson learned is that this work takes time, and we need to be ok with that. The concept of rushing and aiming for perfection is based in white supremacy, the very thing our project wanted to disrupt. This challenge drastically changed our project's timeline, however, it allowed us to be very thoughtful and thorough in getting in depth input and feedback from the target population, BIPOC transgender women. We used that input and feedback alongside our organizational data and staff experiences and developed a community led Trans Wellness Incubator project creating paths for economic mobility for 35 trans women of color and others in street economies.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  We are excited for the opportunities for economic mobility, true leadership development, and truly supporting and preparing the next BIPOC generation of leaders. This funding gives HIPS and our community partners the opportunity to carve out space to focus on creating radical models of workforce development, equitable compensation, and anti-racists HR practices that finally disrupt the status quo models that are continuity creating barriers for individual and organizational growth.

• Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Free Minds serves more than 1,500 people who were charged and incarcerated as adults while they were under the age of 18. Our members are from and live in all DC zip codes. Free Minds members have endured systemic racism, over-policed and disinvested DC neighborhoods with inequitable health and education systems, a shortage of affordable and quality housing, and food insecurity.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  Free Minds Book Club & Writing Workshop uses the transformative power of the literary arts to build community among those directly impacted by the criminal legal system and elevate their stories to spark system change. We foster personal development for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth and adults through the literary arts, workforce development, trauma healing, peacebuilding, and member-led advocacy.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  We are most excited to use funding from the Health Equity Fund to build power and accelerate our work closing the enormous racial wealth gap for those that have been formerly incarcerated. This funding expands our services that include job placements, professional training, health care, credit building, peer support, and referrals for housing, legal support, and career opportunities that increase economic advancement. By supporting our programming that strengthens the leadership and increases the economic mobility of formerly incarcerated individuals, this funding furthers our goal of achieving transformative justice.

  For Returning Partners - What have you learned over the past two years? Please include any brief insights or impact numbers you may have -- especially those related to economic mobility in the communities you serve.

  Engaging with community partners in the Health Equity Fund’s network over the past two years, we have seen that the most powerful use of collaboration and community power is coming together to dismantle the systems that deny health equity and economic mobility to BIPOC communities. Hearing how other Health Equity Fund grantees provide direct services simultaneously with advocacy and community organizing has enhanced our work in both areas. By building strong community partnerships, we have been able to connect our members with a broad network of opportunities that have led to strong outcomes: In 2023, 97% of formerly incarcerated Free Minds members were employed or enrolled in an educational program, and 98% did not return to the criminal legal system. Meanwhile, 140 members lead systems change by participating in coalitions and campaigns across DC.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  We are most excited to widen our strong network of formerly incarcerated leaders informing and leading advocacy campaigns to disrupt the system of mass incarceration and work towards a society where all can thrive. Free Minds members are the community stakeholders that will achieve our organization’s vision of a DC where BIPOC communities have abundant access to resources for economic advancement, healing, growth, creative expression, love, and connection. Through the advocacy of Free Minds leaders, we are excited to reach a future where mass incarceration no longer exists.

• DC Affordable Law Firm

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  DC Affordable Law Firm serves clients living across all eight of our city's Wards. Across our practice areas, we have the highest volume of clients residing in 20019, 20020, 20001, and 20011, in descending order, with our most significant client impacts in Wards 1, 5, 7, and 8.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  DC Affordable Law Firm delivers accessible justice to modest-income DC residents who do not qualify for traditional sources of free civil legal services and cannot afford standard representation. Our innovative programming expands access to justice by empowering community members with unmet legal needs while also launching the careers of public interest lawyers committed to accessible justice. Through our dignified no-cost and low-cost representation options, DCALF bridges the gap in legal services, changes DC’s legal landscape, and makes accessible justice a reality.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  This significant funding from the Health Equity Fund is transformative for DC Affordable Law Firm and is an investment -- not just in DCALF's unique mission and model -- but in DC's hardworking ALICE households who have long comprised the "forgotten middle" in legal services. With the support of the Health Equity Fund and the free legal services we now render, families can keep and grow resources to help meet other life demands, like child care and student loans, while also pursuing individual objectives in a way that promotes longevity and overall well-being, and achieve legal outcomes that help families build sustainable wealth. Over the next two years, DCALF plans to continue the work of our first two years partnership with the Health Equity Fund, engage in even more authentic community engagement and partnership establishment, and expand and deepen our one-of-a-kind probate and estate administration program to reach more vulnerable DC residents and reduce the legal barriers and burdens they face in trying to retain and sustain their hard-earned assets.

  For Returning Partners - What have you learned over the past two years? Please include any brief insights or impact numbers you may have -- especially those related to economic mobility in the communities you serve.

  Over the past two years, we have learned much about the incredible power of partnerships to expand our impact, the immense value of adding more tenured attorneys and staff to our team thanks to the Health Equity Fund, and the incredible freedom and empowerment that comes from serving our modest- and lower-income clients for free. We have come to holistically appreciate the ways in which the free legal services we deliver and the impacts we can achieve not only positively affect our individual clients, but can change the economic stratus and financial trajectory of subsequent generations and, some instances, shape the composition of communities and determine who can afford to remain as residents and homeowners within DC. In recent years, we have experienced growth in all of our areas of practice, ranging from 236% to 770% in terms of clients served and cases handled, a prime marker of our expanded community impact made possible thanks to this partnership with the Health Equity Fund and the financial support of others who followed suit thanks to the GWCF's pioneering approach and significant investment in DCALF and our deserving clients.

  Partnership with the Health Equity Fund has enabled us to think big and given us the bandwidth to launch new, transformative programs to fill critical access to justice gaps in our community, thus fostering broader economic justice, dismantling more barriers, and using the legal services to fortify long-term economic resilience and justice for the Black, Latino, and immigrant District residents we primarily serve. Though we have experienced tremendous growth across all practice areas, the most seismic and pronounced impact has been through DCALF's leadership in the city's heirs' property, probate, and estate planning offerings for modest- and lower-income residents, and our efforts to think outside the box and bring services further upstream to combat the loss of intergenerational homes and wealth. In Fall 2023, we started tracking the value of intergenerational homes saved through our heirs’ property legal representation; the value of these homes has exceeded $15,000,000 in the first seven months we have been tracking this data, which is a testament to the economic security and prosperity we are helping families to safeguard and secure. As we look to the future, we are thrilled to spend the next two years continuing our expanded impact and finding new ways to measure the value and broader economic impact our services bring to our clients, their families, and subsequent generations.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  The future is bright, and there is limitless potential to keep breaking down barriers so individuals and families can live their fullest lives. The challenges families experience on a daily basis are real, yet the louder we can beat the drum and bring a central focus to the opportunities that exist to do things differently and better, the better off we will all be. Within the very small ecosystem of DC Affordable Law Firm, we have keenly experienced how much can be gained by being unafraid to reinvent systems and try new things -- and we know this spirit of innovation that fuels the approach of our peer Health Equity Fund grantee organizations can make a huge community impact and collective difference as we lean into new possibilities within our spheres of influence.

• Tzedek DC

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  DC residents within 400% of federal poverty guidelines

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  Drawing from the Jewish teachings of “Tzedek, tzedek tirdof,” or “Justice, justice you shall pursue,” Tzedek DC’s mission is to safeguard the legal rights and financial health of DC residents with low incomes dealing with the often devastating consequences of abusive debt collection practices and other consumer related issues.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  We are excited to advance economic mobility for DC’s young adults. We will provide financial empowerment training and practice opportunities—including 16 hours of class sessions, $100 in seed capital, and investment account costs for all participants for four years—to strengthen participants’ financial futures. Simultaneously, the project addresses underlying systemic and legal issues that contribute to DC's racial wealth gap by impeding economic mobility in the first place.

  For Returning Partners - What have you learned over the past two years? Please include any brief insights or impact numbers you may have -- especially those related to economic mobility in the communities you serve.

  We have learned that 80% of determinants of health are non-clinical. Therefore, by promoting economic health, our work also directly advances the Fund’s ultimate purpose of health equity. One particular highlight is that, thanks to our advocacy efforts, the DC government invested public dollars to fund the cancellation of about $42 million of medical debt for more than 62,000 District of Columbia residents. This investment has made DC the first state-level government to invest in the large-scale purchase and cancellation of medical debt. Over 80 percent of residents benefiting from the cancellation live in zip codes that are majority Black or community members of color.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  We look forward to helping residents to live as full economic citizens by keeping money in the household or earning more income—leading, in turn, to better health outcomes as a result of economic stability.

• Generation Hope

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  We serve teen parents pursuing college degrees and their families across the DC region, including all eight wards of DC as well as Northern Virginia and Maryland.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  To ensure all student parents have the opportunities to succeed, experience economic mobility, and build wealth, Generation Hope engages education and policy partners to drive systemic change and provides direct support to teen parents in college as well as their children through holistic, two-generation programming.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  Funding from the Health Equity Fund ensures that we can support 175 Scholars, the largest class of teen parents we have served in our history, wrapping supports including mentorship and mental health support around them and their families as they walk the path to the graduation stage. Through this support, young student parents who experience significant barriers to economic mobility will have the opportunity to achieve their college degrees and obtain family-sustaining careers.

  For Returning Partners - What have you learned over the past two years? Please include any brief insights or impact numbers you may have -- especially those related to economic mobility in the communities you serve.

  The last few years have taught us that families on the fringes are the hardest hit in a global crisis and an economic downturn. At the same time, we learned that coming together in big and bold ways that challenge the status quo and shed light on injustices helps parents and their children not just survive but thrive.

  Over the last two years, Generation Hope supported 313 teen parents and their families across the DC region. Overall, 84% of Scholars are persisting in their studies and moving forward toward graduation and we celebrated 55 degrees earned over the last two years. Across fourteen years of service, 91% of Generation Hope Scholar Alumni living in the DC region report being employed full time and/or enrolled in a graduate studies program within 6 months of graduating and 92% of Alumni report an income above the federal poverty line 6 months after graduation.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  Fewer than 2% of teen mothers earn a college degree before age 30, and more than half of all parenting college students leave school without a degree. Generation Hope is committed to changing these statistics one family and one system at a time. Our Scholars are graduating at a rate on par with all college students regardless of parenting status and going on to obtain family-sustaining careers, build wealth, and make powerful impacts in their fields as well as using their voices and stories to drive policies that accelerate the economic and social mobility of parenting college students and their families nationwide.

• Rising For Justice

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  District Wide

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization.

  Rising for Justice (RFJ) leverages the collective forces of students and experienced advocates to achieve justice for all. RFJ believes that everyone deserves justice – today, tomorrow, and always – while also recognizing that the justice system is overburdened, underfunded, and inaccessible to many.

  We believe that together, we can do better.

  To prevent injustices today, we represent individuals who are in grave legal jeopardy.

  To build a better tomorrow, we teach law students to be life-long advocates for justice.

  To ensure justice always, we innovate sustainable solutions to problems of justice and equity.

  Since its founding, RFJ has protected the rights of more than 250,000 District of Columbia residents and trained almost 4,000 social justice advocates.

  What excites you about receiving this funding from the Health Equity Fund? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with this funding?

  Rising for Justice is excited about the Health Equity Fund allowing us to continue to work with D.C. residents to clear their criminal and arrest records.  RFJ attorneys and social workers will work side by side to provide holistic support, addressing the legal and social barriers our clients face. By helping residents clear their records, we aim to remove the stigma of a criminal past, opening doors to opportunities that promote financial stability, personal dignity, and healthier lives. This funding will enable us to extend these life-changing services to more individuals, fostering a more just and equitable community.

  For Returning Partners - What have you learned over the past two years? Please include any brief insights or impact numbers you may have -- especially those related to economic mobility in the communities you serve.

  Over the past two years, we have filed motions to seal over 1,000 arrest and conviction records for D.C. residents. We’ve learned that there remains a tremendous amount of work ahead. Due to D.C.'s restrictive record-sealing laws, any individual over 18 who has been arrested has a publicly accessible record until they take action to file a motion to seal it. Rising for Justice has realized that the most effective way to create lasting impact is by partnering with other organizations, amplifying our collective efforts to increase economic mobility and improve opportunities for D.C. residents. Together, we can achieve greater reach and provide more robust support to those in need.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  What excites me about the future for our community is the growing momentum toward equity and justice. I see more collaboration among organizations and a shared commitment to breaking down systemic barriers that have long held our residents back. The increasing focus on providing holistic support—combining legal assistance with social services—offers real hope for empowering individuals to achieve economic stability, better health outcomes, and a brighter future. I’m inspired by the resilience and determination of the people we serve, and I’m optimistic that, together, we can build a more just and equitable community for all.

ACT for Alexandria Community Advisory Board Pilots Racial Equity Grantmaking Initiative

Members of the ACT for Alexandria Community Advisory Board meet with ACT for Alexandria President & CEO Heather Peeler.

The Community Foundation is excited to continue our Leaders of the Future series, highlighting the work and experiences of incredible individuals and organizations from across our community of philanthropic, community, professional advisor, corporate, and nonprofit partners.

In 2024, The Community Foundation teamed up with ACT for Alexandria to support ACT’s Fund for Racial Equity, a participatory grantmaking fund made up of 10 community advisory board members who live or work in Alexandria, Virginia and come from a diverse range of backgrounds and life experiences.

The Community Foundation is proud to support ACT’s Fund for Racial Equity, which recently announced its inaugural round of mini-grants to 19 different local organizations and individuals.

For Mahlet Tefera, attending the ACT for Alexandria Community Advisory Board meeting is one of the highlights of her very busy week.

Originally from Ethiopia, Mahlet has lived in Alexandria for the past 13 years. A working mother of four, Mahlet splits her time between four jobs: a Nursing Assistant during the school day; a waitress on weekends; a devoted parent and partner with her husband, who is self-employed in the transportation industry; and a passionate advocate for mothers and the Ethiopian community.

“I love being able to bring my experience to the table – as an Ethiopian and as a mom,” Mahlet shared. “It’s so important that our voices are heard and our concerns considered.

In 2023, Mahlet and ten other community members were invited to join ACT for Alexandria’s Community Advisory Board to help orient the organization’s strategic planning process – specifically, building a plan to advance racial equity in Alexandria.

Racial equity is a topic that hits close to home for many Alexandrians. Once home to the largest slave-trading operation in the US, as well as the first successful library sit-in during the Civil Rights Era, Alexandria has a long history in the struggle for racial equity – one that government and philanthropic leaders have acknowledged continues to be a challenge for residents of color.

“It is well-established that racial disparities are the greatest roadblock to achieving social and economic opportunity and health and well-being for all residents,” Brandi Yee, Chief Program Officer for ACT for Alexandria shared. “That’s why ACT for Alexandria is committed to investing in community-driven decision making – centering the voices and perspectives of those most impacted by systemic racism so we can better understand and support the full experiences of Alexandrians.”

All members of the Community Advisory Board are members of (or work closely with) communities of color in Alexandria, including the African American, Latino, Ethiopian, Afghan, and homeless communities. This past year, the board members combined their experiences to set four funding priorities for the inaugural grant round of the new Fund for Racial Equity at ACT for Alexandria, to include child welfare, health, housing, and education.

“We learned so much about our community, just through the conversations we had amongst ourselves,” Advisory Board member Bill Campbell, a long-time Alexandria resident and former member of the Alexandria City School Board shared. “All of us come from diverse backgrounds and were able to provide unique insights so that we could identify the most urgent needs in our community.”

Community Advisory Board members also had the chance to participate in a training session on Racial Equity provided by Service Never Sleeps, which helped ground the discussion and provided a baseline which the Advisory Board could build off of.

“It was important for us to consistently talk about what equity was,” Bill added. “We ended up having a better appreciation for the thoughts and challenges amongst people of color.

The Community Advisory Board shares information about upcoming opportunities at a resource fair in Alexandria.

Once the group established a shared understanding of equity and identified the funding priorities, they set about designing the application process and establishing the criteria for funding. They designed an application process that was shorter and easier to navigate for both individuals and community organizations. It was also translated into several different languages.

The Community Advisory Board also publicized the opportunity throughout the community including in places where RFPs (Requests for Funding Proposals) aren’t usually found, such as Recreation Centers, apartment and grocery store message boards, places of worship, and RHA (Redevelopment Housing Authority) meetings.

“We wanted this fund to be truly grounded in the community,” Shelley Spacek-Miller, Program Manager for ACT for Alexandria shared. “Our goal was to ensure that this opportunity reached places and people that traditional funding opportunities might not normally reach.”

The result were 19 grants, totaling $38,000 in funding supporting a wide range of projects including a community spelling bee for underserved students, a mobile eye health clinic, an eight-week mental health and wellness program to promote healing from racial trauma, and support for students filling out FAFSA applications.

Support for the Fund for Racial Equity grants was provided through the contributions of generous donors, ACT for Alexandria’s Spring2ACTion Giving Day, as well as a matching contribution from The Community Foundation.

“The Community Foundation is proud to support participatory grantmaking efforts across our region,” Chief Program Officer, Dawnn Leary shared. “ACT for Alexandria’s Racial Equity Fund aligns with our strategic vision as outlined in our VoicesDMV initiative – convening community groups, hearing their experiences, and ensuring their voice and vision is incorporated into the initiatives that impact their communities.”

“As a board, we understand that even small investments can make a large difference,” Bill shared. “Especially for the individuals on the community level who are doing the work.”

“We realize that $38,000 worth of investment isn’t going to solve inequity in our community – a problem with trillions of dollars in impact – but it’s an important first step. One that I hope we’ll continue to build on.”

"Through this grant process, we continue to learn about how to shift power to our community,” Heather Peeler, President & CEO of ACT for Alexandria added. “Community Advisory Board members bring an important strategic lens.  Their intentionality inspires and challenges us in terms of how we do our work as a foundation."

For more information about future opportunities like this one, read about ACT for Alexandria’s Fund for Racial Equity on their website.

The Partnership to End Homelessness Welcomes New Members to Partnership Leadership Council

This past year, the Partnership to End Homelessness welcomed five new members to its Leadership Council - a group of committed, private sector individuals representing foundations, housing developers and owners, healthcare institutions, and universities who are dedicated to ending homelessness in DC.

The Leadership Council has three primary objectives: 1) Engage private-sector stakeholders and networks in work to end homelessness and increase housing stability in DC; 2) Provide financial investment and other resources to support the strategic priorities of the Partnership to End Homelessness; and 3) Participate in budget advocacy, policy advocacy, and public narrative change efforts using personal and professional networks.

Since the Partnership launched, the Leadership Council has been instrumental in our work to align $18.5 million in private sector resources and joined our nonprofit partners in advocating for historic public sector investments in homeless services and affordable and supportive housing.

The new members of the Partnership Leadership Council include - Anand Dholakia, The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation; Kimberly Harris, CareFirst BlueCross Blueshield; Alecia Hill, FCP; Dr. Yavar Moghimi, AmeriHealth Caritas; and Andrew Vincent, Horning Brothers.

Shaping the Future for the Partnership to End Homelessness

Together with new and existing members, the Leadership Council gathered to reflect on the Partnership’s progress to date and determine where the Partnership should prioritize our efforts over the next two years.

Through this process, members reaffirmed their commitment to the Partnership’s overall goals and guiding principles, including racial equity and deeply affordable housing.

Leaders also committed to continuing to provide a table for the private sector to share knowledge with and learn from our public sector partners, nonprofit service providers, and advocates about homelessness and affordable housing issues in DC and best practices and innovations to address them.

In order to have the greatest impact, the Leadership Council made the decision to focus on a limited set of strategic priorities.  Based on a needs analysis, community feedback, and potential for future impact, the following priorities were identified:

1. Expedite housing placement for people experiencing chronic homelessness. The Leadership Council expressed an urgent need to expedite the process for people experiencing chronic homelessness to move into housing. Currently, delays in the process lead to units sitting empty for many months, creating financial challenges for landlords and housing providers while people continue to live on the street or in shelters.

   The Leadership Council and the Partnership will continue to advance this priority through advocacy, grant funding, and convening.

2. Improve care coordination between healthcare and homeless service systems. Housing insecurity is a public health issue that impacts health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness and drives up healthcare costs for the broader system. Healthcare and housing systems are complex, and significant coordination is needed to address the unique challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness - many of whom have significant mental health and physical health needs.

   The Leadership Council and Partnership will support existing efforts to improve collaboration that are being led by our partners at the DC Interagency Council to End Homelessness. The Council has also identified a specific interest in expanding medical respite in the city.

Are you a private sector leader, individual donor, or institutional funder interested in joining this work? The Partnership Leadership Council is always seeking for new ways to partner and build relationships to help end homelessness in DC. Reach out to Jennifer Olney at [email protected] to learn more.

Celebrating Community Impact Through Partnership at the 2024 Annual Meeting

On October 8, The Community Foundation gathered with friends and supporters at the beautiful Halcyon House in Georgetown for the 2024 Annual Meeting and public kick-off for Together, We Prosper, a $75 million Campaign for Economic Justice in the Greater Washington region.

“As I reflect on our work and our accomplishments, one word comes to mind: partnership,” shared Tonia Wellons, President & CEO of The Community Foundation.

“Community philanthropy is rooted in partnership – and it is because of those partnerships that we’ve been able to achieve so much over the past fiscal year in connecting philanthropy to impact, addressing critical community needs, and pursuing economic justice.”

Fiscal year 2024 was an exciting and impactful year for The Community Foundation and its community of givers. Together, our fundholders disbursed over $87 million to a diverse range of causes across the region.

 In other areas, The Community Foundation’s Partnership to End Homelessness marked four years of meaningful investment, leveraging, and aligning more than $18 million in private sector resources since its launch. At the same time, The Community Foundation’s Health Equity Fund celebrated one year of transformative grantmaking with more than $21 million in grants to promote economic mobility in DC.

For more highlights from FY2024, see our 2023-2024 Annual Report!

Seán Morris, Chair of the Board of Trustees for The Community Foundation with President & CEO, Tonia Wellons.

“The Community Foundation is uniquely positioned to mobilize philanthropy and address the systemic challenges facing our communities through its bold vision for economic justice,” shared Seán Morris, a Principal at Deloitte who was recently appointed Chair of The Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees in September. “Together, we endeavor to make this community one where all can prosper.”

Morris has been a member of The Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 2017. In 2021, Morris co-chaired the planning committee that helped develop The Community Foundation’s 10-year strategic vision to close the region’s racial wealth gap.

Morris succeeds former Board Chair Richard Bynum, who has led The Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 2022. Bynum has been instrumental in helping to implement The Community Foundation’s strategic vision, including Banking on the Region, a new partnership with several major banking institutions in the region to increase financial security and build generational wealth in our region.

Watch the Recording from the 2024 Annual Meeting Here!

Initially announced in May 2023, the Together, We Prosper Campaign for Economic Justice seeks to mobilize philanthropy to close the racial wealth gap in our region by investing in innovative economic mobility programs to boost wealth building in priority high opportunity neighborhoods. This includes innovations such as Brilliant Futures – a children’s savings pilot program recently launched in Montgomery County and Prince George’s County Public Schools – and guaranteed income pilots such as Thrive Prince George’s. The campaign will also grow endowments to ensure The Community Foundation can continue to respond to current and future community needs.

“When you invest in this community – specifically the community in which you live, you’re making it better,” Karen Leder, Trustee for The Community Foundation and Co-Chair of the Together, We Prosper campaign committee shared.

Karen Leder & Bill Taylor, Trustee for The Community Foundation and co-Chairs of the Together, We Prosper campaign outline the case for support.

“The Community Foundation has been at the forefront of responding to this region’s needs,” shared fellow Trustee and Co-Chair Bill Taylor. “Through this campaign, we can ensure that The Community Foundation will continue to do so for generations to come.”

Bill and Karen shared an update on the campaign’s progress. Together, We Prosper has raised more than $64 million towards an expanded $75 million fundraising goal. The contributions come from hundreds of donors and partners who have contributed in ways both large and small to The Community Foundation’s work and future legacy.

Next, participants heard from several guest speakers about various aspects of the campaign and how it will positively impact the entire community. Quanda Allen, a Community Foundation Trustee and former member of The Community Foundation’s Professional Advisor Council, talked about the importance of leaving a legacy by establishing an endowment with The Community Foundation.

“Establishing an endowment creates a bridge; a lifeline for those who depend on us, so we can continue to care for our people and communities,” Allen shared. “I encourage you to considering finding ways to support the work of The Community Foundation now and in the future.”

Participants were also reminded of an ongoing challenge match, made possible by former Trustee John Terry Beaty and his wife, Anne Mehringer. For every donor who converts their fund to an endowment, names an endowment as its final purpose, or establishes a future endowment through a documented bequest intention, the Beaty’s will contribute $20,000 to the Endowment for Greater Washington.

Hahn Le, co-CEO of iF, A Foundation for Radical Possibility explains the impact of guaranteed income pilots in the Greater Washington region.

After Quanda, donors heard from Hanh Le, co-CEO of iF, A Foundation for Radical Possibility, the lead facilitator behind Let’s GO DMV!, a guaranteed income pilot launched in 2021 to help displaced hospitality workers in DC. The initiative is one of more than 100 such initiatives nationwide, and one of several pilot projects supported by The Community Foundation in our region, including MoCo Boost, Arlington’s Guarantee, ARISE Alexandria, and Thrive Prince George’s.

“Guaranteed Income embodies the ethos of trust, freedom, and flexibility that individuals need to grow and thrive,” Le shared.

Le was followed by Yolonda Johnson, Executive Director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Prince George’s, and two participants from Thrive Prince George’s – who shared the impact that the guaranteed income pilot program has already had on youth aging out of foster care. The program, which was launched in November of last year, provides $800 in monthly cash payments to 50 youth who have aged out of the foster care system and 125 seniors living below the poverty line in Prince George’s County.

Samiryah and Kaps - two participants in the Thrive Prince George’s guaranteed income pilot - shared their experiences at the 2024 Annual Meeting.

“The promise of an $800 stipend was a blessing I greatly needed,” shared Samiryah, a former CASA Prince George’s client and current Thrive Prince George’s participant. “I have become much more financially stable.”

“Thanks to this program, I have the confidence to reach my goals and look forward to a brighter future.”

After Samiryah, Wellons introduced another key strategy component of the Together, We Prosper campaign– Brilliant Futures – a children’s savings pilot program recently launched in partnership with two elementary schools located in Montgomery County Public Schools and Prince George’s County Public Schools.

“When I heard about Brilliant Futures, I was immediately in,” shared Alisha Griffey, an early supporter of the campaign.

“As a mother of two teenage boys, my job is to help kids realize that they can do anything. This investment helps them realize that.”

“Brilliant Futures will change how kids dream; it will help them think differently about what is possible and what their future will look like.”

While Brilliant Futures is currently a limited pilot program, The Community Foundation hopes that with proper funding and public support the project could one day take on a bigger scale within the state of Maryland and the broader region.

Click here for more photos from the 2024 Annual Meeting! You can also click here to watch recordings from Together, We Prosper Celebration!

 “We know that the needs of our community will grow and change over time,” Wellons shared. “Our hope is that through the Together, We Prosper campaign, we can be prepared to continue to meet those needs.”

“Many of our neighbors don’t have access to the resources that they need to prosper,” Leder shared. “We can change that!”

“Join me – and the hundreds of other donors who have already joined the movement – in building a community where together, we prosper!”

With your help, together we can build a community where everyone prospers. Visit www.togetherweprosperdmv.org to learn more about how you can join the Campaign for Economic Justice.

Spotlight: Kaps Kapende - Excellence Before and After Thrive Prince George’s

Kaps Kapande (second from the left) with members of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Prince George’s and a fellow Thrive Prince George’s participant.

In November 2023, The Community Foundation and our partners announced the launch of Thrive Prince George’s - the first guaranteed income pilot in Prince George’s County.

The innovative pilot program provides cash payments of $800 per month to 50 youth who aged out of foster care and 125 Seniors (Age 60+) in Prince George’s County for 24 months. Participants began receiving their first payments in April 2024.

Six months into the program, we asked Kaps Kapende - a former client of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Prince George’s - to share how Thrive Prince George’s has impacted his life and outlook for the future.

Navigating a New Country Alone
Kaps Kapende is living a life of determination, perseverance, and resilience. In the last decade, he has been faced with personal and professional barriers that he has turned into fruitful opportunities using his innate intelligence, ambition, and wisdom to seek out the support he needed to exceed his goals.

In 2015, when Kaps was in 9th grade, he immigrated from the Congo to the United States, by himself. A year after arriving in Texas, he made the decision to move to Washington, DC to seek help with his immigration status.

“Back home in Congo, everything is centralized in the capitol. So when people needed administrative services they had to go to the capitol to get help,” Kaps shared.

“Being young, I thought it was the same way here [in the U.S.]. So I decided to book a bus from Texas to Washington, DC to get help.” 

Upon arriving in DC, Kaps spent the next two months living in a hostel. It was during this time that he learned he would not be able to return to high school because he didn’t have a guardian. Unable to work or study, Kaps eventually went to a homeless shelter for assistance – only to be turned away because he was a minor.

After receiving a recommendation from a friend, Kaps moved to Prince George’s County, where he was able to seek out social services and get connected with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Prince George’s. With their help, Kaps was able to eventually be matched with foster care and finish his high school education.

Excellence in the Face of Barriers
After high school, Kaps was accepted into Frostburg State University where he studied accounting. With ambition as great as his resilience, one of Kaps’ goals was to land a job while in school – event though his immigration status made it difficult for him to find a position.

Kaps decided to take matters into his own hands and launch a lawn mowing business. He passed out fliers in his old neighborhood and was able to build a loyal customer base that allowed him to mow lawns throughout college.

Eventually, Kaps’ hard work and special interest in real estate helped him purchase his first property in Prince George’s County by the age of 22.

Kaps’ Success Reaches New Heights with Thrive Prince George’s
Now 23 years old, Kaps has his degree and works as an accountant – and he is determined to keep growing. He recently enrolled in a cybersecurity boot camp at George Washington University to learn more about the rapidly evolving field. He also has ambitious goals to learn Spanish and build yet another business.

Kaps’ dedication and commitment to excellence have been instrumental to his personal success and growth. These qualities have also led Kaps to help others when he can. With the extra income, Kaps has been able to send financial support to his family overseas.

Between his ambitions and the desire to help support his family, Kaps says that participating in the Thrive Prince George’s guaranteed income program has made a huge difference.

“Being a part of Thrive has helped me budget without feeling squeezed,” Kaps shared. “It has simplified my life at a time when I needed it most.”

Kaps’ story highlights the unique impact of guaranteed income programs like Thrive Prince George’s, which are designed to help people work toward or meet their personal and professional financial goals. While no two stories are the same, many stories will illustrate the power of support and access to the tools needed to reach one’s goals.  

As Kaps continues to build his future, support his family, and inspire the world, he hopes to see guaranteed income programs like Thrive Prince George’s expand to reach even more youth with big dreams.

The Community Foundation is proud to support individuals like Kaps through our investments in Guaranteed Income Pilots through Together, We Prosper - a Campaign for Economic Justice.

Visit our website to learn how you can invest in innovative projects to transform our region!

2024 Year End Gifts and Grantmaking

As we near the end of the year, we would like to recognize our donors and their generosity throughout 2024. Thank you for standing with us as we worked to support and strengthen our community. You’ve continued to demonstrate the strong philanthropic spirit that empowers our region. 

In an effort to assist you with carrying out your philanthropic goals, please see below for The Community Foundation’s deadlines regarding year-end giving and grantmaking activities.

RECOMMENDING GRANTS FROM YOUR FUND

Grant recommendations submitted by December 16 will be processed by December 31, provided the grantee organization meets The Community Foundation’s due diligence requirements. Due to increased volume, we cannot guarantee that grant recommendations submitted after December 16 will be processed in 2024.

PLEASE NOTE: Grants submitted prior to December 16, 2024 must also meet The Community Foundation’s due diligence requirements to be processed by December 31, 2024.

Grant recommendations should be submitted through your Donor Central account. Questions regarding Donor Central can be forwarded to our Donor Services team.

MAKING GIFTS TO THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

GIFTS MADE ONLINE:

Gifts can be made online at www.thecommunityfoundation.org/donate.  

GIFTS MADE VIA CHECK: 

Greater Washington Community Foundation 
P.O. Box 49010
Baltimore, MD 21297-4910 (include 4-digit code 4910, or processing may be delayed)

Please note: checks sent by US Postal Service mail must be postmarked no later than December 31, 2024 to be credited as a 2024 contribution.

GIFTS OF CASH OR SECURITIES MADE VIA WIRE TRANSFER:

Please see the instructions for making gifts via ACH or wire transfer. Make sure to include your or the donor’s name/fund name in the reference section of the transfer. You can contact the Finance Department at 202-955-5890 if there are any questions. Monies must be in The Community Foundation’s account by December 31, to be earmarked as a 2024 contribution.

Gifts of Stock or Appreciated Securities must be initiated by December 27th, in order to be earmarked as a 2024 contribution.

GIFTS MADE VIA TRANSFER FROM MUTUAL FUNDS:

In order for gifts made from mutual funds gifted to The Community Foundation to be received by December 31 and earmarked as a 2024 contribution, the transfer must be initiated early enough — typically at least two weeks or more — to be posted into our account. Please check with your broker on their internal timelines.

QuALIFIED CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTIONS (IRA CHARITABLE ROLLOVER)

As a reminder, qualified charitable distributions from your IRA (if you are at least 70.5 years of age) cannot be used for donor-advised funds. They may be used for designated, field of interest, and other types of funds. Notify your plan administrator as soon as possible if you intend to make a gift from your IRA. Please contact us for help with these types of gifts.

ILLIQUID ASSETS AND REAL ESTATE

The Community Foundation accepts gifts of illiquid assets such as closely held stock, partnership interests, and real estate, among others. Gifts must be reviewed and approved by The Community Foundation’s Gift Acceptance Committee. Please allow plenty of time for review and approval.

PLEASE NOTE: THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE FOLLOWING FEDERAL HOLIDAYS: THANKSGIVING (NOVEMBER 28 AND 29), CHRISTMAS (DECEMBER 25), AND NEW YEAR’S DAY (JANUARY 1).

WE WILL ALSO CLOSE AT 1 P.M. ON November 27, DECEMBER 24 AND december 31.

Introducing our 2024 VoicesDMV Fellows

A Note from Darius Graham, Managing Director of Community Investment

Our community listening and engagement initiative, VoicesDMV, is designed to help philanthropy, community leaders, policymakers, and others understand the diverse experiences of the people who live and work in the Greater Washington region.

With the release of the VoicesDMV Community Insights Report earlier this year, we created the VoicesDMV Fellowship to identify and support individuals who are deeply rooted in the foundation’s priority neighborhoods. Fellows will facilitate deeper engagement between the foundation and residents in the priority neighborhoods with the ultimate goal of ensuring authentic community voice is at the center of our work.

VoicesDMV Fellows are taking on self-directed projects and will also have the opportunity to participate in the review of grant applications and advise the foundation as we develop, implement, and refine programs and initiatives. Fellows will receive a stipend and serve for at least eight months.

Following an open application process, we selected the following inaugural VoicesDMV Fellows who we’re now delighted to introduce you to.

• Katie Wilson

  Which community (or communities) will you be working with, as a VoicesDMV Fellow?

  Bailey's Crossroads & Culmore

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly share with us about your experience living in/working with the community.

  Currently, I work as the full-time Program Manager for a resident-centered Place-Based Initiative (PBI) in the Bailey’s Crossroads & Culmore community led by Kaiser Permanente and George Mason University's College of Public Health. In this role, I engage hundreds of low-income residents and organizations in the community to amplify marginalized voices and accomplish local systems change through a collective impact model. I regularly organize and facilitate convenings of residents and local organizations to create and maintain transformational, rather than transactional, relationships.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe what you hope to accomplish as a VoicesDMV Fellow. What are you most looking forward to?

  I am most looking forward to strengthening the Greater Washington Community Foundation's ties with service providers and residents alike. It is incredibly important to not only build trusting relationships with community stakeholders, but also to foster those relationships in a way that promotes greater equity for all. Through my work as a VoicesDMV Fellow, I hope to move the needle forward on addressing the racial wealth gap within the Bailey's Crossroads and Culmore area.

  What was your reaction to the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report? Did it's findings resonate with you and your work? If so, how?

  The data collected in the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report highlights a hard truth: historically disenfranchised communities like Bailey's Crossroads & Culmore have experienced worsening conditions due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. I have seen firsthand the ways that local families have been negatively impacted as they face barriers in accessing essential services and resources. It is more important now than ever before that we amplify and center community voices in our mission of advancing economic mobility in these islands of disadvantage in the DMV.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  The residents of Bailey's Crossroads & Culmore are some of the most resilient people I know. I am excited that their voices will direct the economic strategy of the Greater Washington Community Foundation going forward. The residents are the experts on how we can improve quality of life in this community and I am thankful that they are being recognized as such.

• David Schultz

  Which community (or communities) will you be working with, as a VoicesDMV Fellow?

  Ward 7 & 8

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly share with us about your experience living in/working with the community.

  Living and working in Washington, DC, has allowed me to immerse myself in the diverse and resilient community here. Through my role as the Director of Reentry Services at Changing Perceptions, I’ve witnessed firsthand the strength of individuals who are rebuilding their lives after incarceration and other challenges. This experience has deepened my commitment to supporting personal transformation and community healing.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe what you hope to accomplish as a VoicesDMV Fellow. What are you most looking forward to?

  As a VoicesDMV Fellow, I hope to amplify the voices of individuals in the community and advocate for more equitable opportunities in reentry services. I’m looking forward to working with others who care about finding real solutions for these neighborhoods and creating better opportunities for residents to rebuild their lives.

  What was your reaction to the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report? Did it's findings resonate with you and your work? If so, how?

  The 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report highlighted many challenges that resonate with my work in reentry services, particularly in Wards 7 and 8. The findings on economic precarity, such as barriers to employment and struggles with housing and basic necessities, strongly reflect the experiences of those I work with daily. It reinforced the importance of addressing systemic barriers that continue to impact marginalized communities. Additionally, the report’s focus on racial disparities and the need for increased collaboration aligns with my efforts to promote equity and create opportunities for those most affected.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  I’m excited about the push to tackle long-standing inequalities in Wards 7 and 8. This fellowship allows for a chance to make meaningful changes that help people get back on their feet, find opportunities, and build better futures for themselves and their families.

• Nia Smart

  Which community (or communities) will you be working with, as a VoicesDMV Fellow?

  Bailey's Crossroads and Route 1 corridor in Northern Virginia

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly share with us about your experience living in/working with the community.

  Living in Northern Virginia has given me the opportunity to be part of a vibrant and resourceful community. It has allowed me to experience both the unique challenges and valuable resources within our area. I’ve personally benefited from many local services and programs, and I’m passionate about raising awareness and helping more residents connect with these valuable resources to enhance our community's well-being.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe what you hope to accomplish as a VoicesDMV Fellow. What are you most looking forward to?

  As a VoicesDMV Fellow, I hope to deepen my understanding of the unique community health needs and increase relationships with local health resources to effectively communicate and build knowledge of the various services I may not yet be aware of. I am particularly looking forward to collaborating with diverse stakeholders, gaining insights from fellow advocates, and leveraging this experience to implement impactful health initiatives that empower the Bailey's Crossroads and Route 1 corridor in Northern Virginia.

  What was your reaction to the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report? Did it's findings resonate with you and your work? If so, how?

  My reaction to the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report was one of affirmation and clarity. The findings resonated deeply with my experiences in Bailey's Crossroads and the Route 1 corridor, as they highlighted the unique challenges that our community faces. The report provided valuable data and perspectives that helped to qualify my thoughts about the needs in my neighborhood, guiding me on where to focus my efforts. It has reinforced my commitment to enhancing awareness of local health resources and informed my approach to community engagement, ensuring that my initiatives align with the needs of residents. This resource will be instrumental in shaping my work as a VoicesDMV Fellow.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  What excites me about the future of my community in Bailey's Crossroads and the Route 1 corridor is the growing commitment to health equity and the collaborative efforts to address long-standing disparities. With more organizations and stakeholders coming together to leverage resources and share knowledge, there is tremendous potential for impactful initiatives that will enhance health literacy and improve access to care. The community’s resilience and openness to engage in meaningful dialogue about its needs inspire hope for lasting change. I am particularly excited about the potential of grassroots movements to empower residents and foster a culture of wellness and support across the area.

• Tiffany Turner-Allen

  Which community (or communities) will you be working with, as a VoicesDMV Fellow?

  Prince George's County, MD

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly share with us about your experience living in/working with the community.

  I recognize my privilege because I work in and support the very community that I live in. My purpose of making a difference starts at home. My work is embedded in my DNA, so I use every opportunity to be cognizant about what the changing needs are of my community. This allows me to be connected to community, while confidently advocating for the ever changing needs of my community.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe what you hope to accomplish as a VoicesDMV Fellow. What are you most looking forward to?

  I hope to contribute to the established infrastructure that has been created by the Greater Washington Community Foundation. I hope to be a voice that communicates in a clear, authentic and uncompromising way for my community.

  What was your reaction to the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report? Did it's findings resonate with you and your work? If so, how?

  I was not surprised. The findings are on par with what I see and hear daily.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  The possibilities... We are in a space where people are starting to imagine and reimagine what a racially equitable and just world can look like. I am excited that I work in a majority melanated community, where the potential to achieve this is not just an idea but is a possibility.

Announcing the 2024 David Bradt Nonprofit Leadership Award Winners

As nonprofit leaders in Greater Washington, Rachna Singal Krishnan, Hugo Mogollon, and Tiffany Williams are invested in improving and advancing their organizations—and themselves. This year, we’re excited to announce them as our fifth annual David Bradt Nonprofit Leadership Awardees. Krishnan, CEO & Executive Director of The Women’s Center, Mogollon, Executive Director of FRESHFARM, and Williams, CEO of Martha’s Table, will each receive up to $15,000 to attend an intensive executive training program of their choice.

Launched in 2017 as a salute to former trustee David Bradt and his many years of service to our community, the David Bradt Nonprofit Education Fund supports senior level nonprofit leaders in advancing their careers and leadership skills. Local business leader Alex Orfinger and Diane Tipton, David’s wife, established the Fund to surprise and honor David. 

Tonia Wellons, President and CEO of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, extends her congratulations to this year’s class:

“Congratulations to the 2024 awardees!  We are thankful for all you have done and will continue to do to strengthen our community. The Community Foundation is so pleased to support investments in exceptional nonprofit leaders and support the Fund’s impact in our region.  Our thanks to David for the inspiration, and to Diane and Alex for creating such a wonderful way in which to honor him.” 

Read on to meet these inspiring local leaders.  

Rachna Singal Krishnan, CEO and Executive Director at The Women's Center since 2020, leads a dedicated team to significantly improve the mental health and well-being of all members of the community through counselling, education and support - regardless of ability to pay. During her leadership, The Women's Center successfully developed and implemented its first strategic plan that focused on creating a diverse workforce, aligning programs to meet the specific needs in our community, building a sound financial foundation, and evolving infrastructure and operations for sustainability and growth.  Rachna received the 2021 Northern Virginia Leadership COVID19 Hero Award from Leadership Fairfax and The Women's Center received an award from the Human Services Alliance of Greater Prince William. Rachna earned her MBA and BS in Economics from The Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania where she graduated with honors. She plans to use the award to attend Harvard Business School's Program on Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management. 

Hugo Mogollon is the Executive Director of FRESHFARM, a nonprofit improving food access in the DC Metro Area while creating opportunities for farmers in the mid-Atlantic region. He is a results-oriented leader with 15 years of management experience in multicultural settings. Under his leadership, FRESHFARM has become the country's third-largest network of farmers markets. He also developed an innovative low-infrastructure food distribution model connecting underserved communities to locally grown food, generating significant revenue for family farms. He holds a Master’s degree in Natural Resources and Leadership for Sustainability from Virginia Tech and has completed executive programs at Stanford University Graduate School of Business and Northwestern, Kellogg. Hugo proudly serves on the FARM Policy Committee at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and has held various board leadership positions in regional and national food system organizations. Hugo plans to use the award to attend Kellogg’s executive program on Driving Organizational Change.

Tiffany Williams, Chief Executive Officer of Martha’s Table, is a visionary advocate and community champion with more than 25 years of experience as an education and nonprofit leader. A seasoned strategist, Tiffany has spent her career working to advance equitable and inclusive solutions for communities that have been historically underserved and is driven by the belief that every Washingtonian deserves the opportunity to thrive. Since 2017, Williams has held multiple leadership positions at Martha’s Table, including as Chief Program Officer, where she directed and designed the organization’s expanded offerings. Previously, Williams was Director of Healthy Start Education and Assistant Head of School at the National Child Research Center (NCRC). Originally from Harlem, NY, Tiffany has made DC her home and dedicated her career to community service. Her educational journey includes a Master’s in Organization Development from American University, a BA in Psychology from Lincoln University, PA, and a certification as a coach with the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Tiffany plans to use the award to participate in Leadership Greater Washington’s Signature Program Class of 2025.

Greater Washington Community Foundation Welcomes Seán Morris as New Board Chair

The Greater Washington Community Foundation is proud to announce the appointment of Seán Morris, Principal with Deloitte Consulting LLP, as the new Chair of its Board of Trustees.

As Chair, Morris will collaborate with President and CEO Tonia Wellons to lead the region’s largest public foundation with over $500 million in assets and $80 million in annual grants. As a regional foundation with a 50-year history of mobilizing philanthropic resources, The Community Foundation has invested more than $1.7 billion to build equitable, just, and thriving communities in the Greater Washington region.

In 2021, Seán co-chaired The Community Foundation’s strategic planning committee with Artis Hampshire-Cowan which explored ways to address the root causes of persistent inequities exacerbated by the pandemic and economic crisis. Recognizing that our region’s biggest challenges stem from economic injustice, The Community Foundation’s staff and Trustees developed a bold 10-year strategic vision to increase economic mobility and help close our region’s racial wealth gap. The plan outlined how The Community Foundation will provide strong leadership and mobilize resources to grow opportunity and secure prosperity for all who call this region home.

“Seán takes the helm of our Board at an exciting time for our Community Foundation. We are successfully executing against the strategic vision he helped shape by launching several new research-backed economic strategies aimed at helping more families build savings and secure their future,” said Tonia Wellons, President and CEO, Greater Washington Community Foundation. “At this critical juncture, Seán understands that it will take all of us working together to achieve this vision for economic justice and he is primed and ready to step up to the challenge.”

“It’s an honor to become the Chair of the Greater Washington Community Foundation to continue the incredible heritage of driving impact for those who are most in need. I look forward to what we will accomplish together for the Greater Washington area, by rolling up our sleeves and mobilizing ideas,” Seán contends.

Seán currently serves as Deloitte’s US Transformation Enablement leader, responsible for the integration of multiple firm-wide service delivery, technology, operating model, and talent model transformations, helping enable greater success with Deloitte’s clients and 170,000 US professionals.

Seán is a Deloitte Consulting LLP Principal with a twenty-five-year career driving industry leading client excellence, talent experience, new market development, and operational efficiency. The Greater Washington area has been home to Seán and his family for more than 30 years. Over this period, Seán has served on a number of not-for-profit Boards to help drive meaningful social and community impact. To this end, he is the recipient of Consulting Magazine’s® Excellence in Social & Community Investment Award.

A Tribute to Our Outgoing Board Chair, Richard Bynum

Seán succeeds Richard K. Bynum, Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer for The PNC Financial Services Group, who has served as Board Chair since September 2022. Bynum is an accomplished executive with nearly 20 years of executive leadership experience. As chief corporate responsibility officer for The PNC Financial Services Group and a member of its Executive Committee, Bynum leads the PNC Foundation, Community Affairs, ESG practice, Community Development Banking, and Diversity and Inclusion.

During Richard’s tenure as Chair, he played a crucial leadership role as The Community Foundation embarked on an ambitious plan to create a more prosperous future for our region. This included supporting key aspects of the organization’s strategic growth leading into and beyond it’s 50th Anniversary including the launch of the $75 million, multiyear Together, We Prosper Campaign for Economic Justice. The capital campaign will support The Community Foundation’s work to increase economic mobility to close the region’s racial wealth gap and build sustainable funding to address community needs now and into the future.

We thank Richard for his tireless leadership and are excited to continue to work with him, as a member of our Board of Trustees.

Additional Changes to Our Board of Trustees

In addition to Seán, The Community Foundation announced Cliff White, Partner of SWaN Investors, as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors and David E. Shiffrin, as Secretary of the Board. Jill Landefeld was also announced as the new Chair of the Board of Trustee’s Investment Committee.

The Community Foundation would like to thank Lesley-Jane Dixon, who finished her service as a member of the Board of Trustees in September 2024. Lesley-Jane has served as a member of the Board of Trustees since 2019, serving as both Treasurer and Chair of the Board of Trustee’s Investment Committee.

The Community Foundation also welcomed Thomas Penny, President of Donohoe Hospitality, as the newest member of the Board of Trustees. Thomas Penny is the President of Donohoe Hospitality, one of the largest and most experienced hotel management companies in the Washington, DC region, overseeing more than $600 million in hotel asset value. In this role, he drives growth, innovation, and cultivates a supportive, inclusive company culture that promotes upward mobility and celebrates team members for achieving best-in-class results.

Penny is deeply committed to expanding the business while creating pathways for team members to advance into senior levels within the company. As a leading voice for diversity in hotel ownership and executive leadership, he champions the need for the boardroom to reflect the diversity of the break room.

By promoting internal team members and attracting new talent, Penny has built a dynamic team driven by entrepreneurship, collaboration, adaptability, empathy, creativity, and innovation, all aimed at achieving operational excellence and delivering superior results for our partners and stakeholders.

He also serves on numerous industry, education, and nonprofit boards, including the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), Hotel Association of Washington, DC (HAWDC), Livingstone College, Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership at Howard University, and the National Academy Foundation (NAF), among others.

Finally, The Community Foundation welcomed Artis Hampshire-Cowan as a member of The Community Foundation’s Board Emerita. Artis has served on The Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 2015 and has been a tireless advocate for investing in the region — especially, within Prince George’s County.

Artis joins other esteemed members of our Emeritus Board, including Terry Beaty, Partner & Senior Advisor at Brown Advisory, Sterling Speirn, and Dan Mayers.

The Community Foundation would like to thank all of our Trustees for their dedication and commitment to working together to strengthen our organization and the region we all call home!

Accelerating DC's Community Safety Ecosystem

Kirby Gaherty, Senior Fellow of Community Safety & Harm Reduction outlines the impact of Community Violence Intervention (CVI) intiatives.

On September 18, philanthropic partners, business leaders, city government representatives and advocates for community safety from across the region convened at the True Reformer Building to discuss ways to promote and sustain community safety. Co-hosted by The Community Foundation and Public Welfare Foundation, the event explored the need for increased coordination and planning around violence prevention and intervention. 

“DC is known to be resource rich and infrastructure poor,” The Community Foundation’s President & CEO, Tonia Wellons shared. “We are here today to reimagine what that infrastructure of violence prevention looks like.” 

Participants first heard from Kirby Gaherty, Senior Fellow of Community Safety & Harm Reduction, as she outlined the four phases in the Public Health Approach to Violence Prevention, which include: 1) Define & Monitor the Problem, 2) Identify Risk & Protective Focus, 3) Develop & Test Protective Strategies, and 4) Assure Widespread Adoption. 

She also shared outcomes from other Community Violence Intervention (CVI) initiatives that have been implemented nationally as a way to increase coordination between governmental and nonprofit partners toward safety.  

Candice Jones, President & CEO of Public Welfare Foundation

“For too long, nonprofit organizations have been in the trenches; doing the hard work and putting their lives on the frontlines of this battle to keep our communities safe,” Candice Jones, President & CEO of Public Welfare Foundation shared.  

“As funders and business leaders, we have a responsibility to step up and invest in the well-being and public safety of the neighborhoods we live and do business in.” 

After Jones, participants heard from Kristy Love, Executive Director of the DC Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC). Love is responsible for www.dcjsat.net – a public database which tracks safety data in the District. –  This data is key in addressing both national and local media attention on crime, violence and safety in DC. 

Love shared a number of insightful statistics that helped participants better understand the state of public safety, as well as the risk factors and trends that researchers have noticed amongst those most likely to be impacted by violence. 

Income Statistics about CVI Participants with Peace for DC (Image: Peace for DC)

Neighborhood Statistics about CVI Participants with Peace for DC (Image: Peace for DC)

Participants also heard from Marcus Ellis, Executive Director of Peace For DC, the organization behind the DC Peace Academy and other efforts to train violence interrupters in the region. 

“As we talk about what’s working and not working in DC – we need a plan to ensure that CVI efforts can continue to do the good work that they’re doing in our community,” Ellis shared.  

Referencing decades past when funding for CVI efforts was discontinued in the District, he added, “The work must go on – we’ve already seen the impacts of not  having CVI as part of our ecosystem.” 

Dr. Joseph Richardson stresses the need for CVI coordination across jurisdictions.

Invited attendees – such as Dr. Joseph Richardson, who leads PROGRESS, the multidisciplinary gun violence research initiative at the University of Maryland – were quick to point out the need for CVI to be inclusive and coordinated both within DC and across the region.  

“40% of gun violence fatalities in DC last year weren’t from DC,” Dr. Richardson pointed out. “They were from Prince George’s County.”  

“Death does not have boundaries; violence does not have boundaries. We need new approaches that go beyond jurisdictions and provide more holistic solutions.” 

“I’d like to see this work be built into the code that transcends not only political administrations, but philanthropic leadership,” shared David Bowers, Vice President and Senior Advisor for Enterprise Community Partners. “We need CVI work to be codified so that it’s no longer a question of whether or not this work gets funded – it’ll just be a part of how we do business in this city.” 

“Until we are able to make sure the funding is consistent, this work will always be at risk.” 

David Bowers, VP and Senior Advisor for Enterprise Community Partners

 Tonia Wellons concluded the discussion by sharing  opportunities to be a part of  the “Core Team” – a group of philanthropic, government, and community partners who will come together around a strategy to advance DC’s Community Safety ecosystem. Like the Partnership to End Homelessness, this group will allow stakeholders to come together to influence local action, fund the infrastructure and drive strategy around this critical issue.  

The Community Foundation, Public Welfare Foundation, Peace For DC and  Federal City Council are committed members of the Core Team.  

“We invite you to join with us in expanding the tent – bringing voices to the table and crafting a plan for a region where everyone can not only live safe but can thrive.” 

Over the next few months, The Community Foundation, alongside members of the Core Team, will engage with one another (as well as with broader stakeholder groups) and build the  collaborative table around community safety in DC. Our immediate next steps include analyzing components of local and national violence reduction plans, aligning around a strategy tailored for this region, and through collective action and accountability, move toward the implementation.   

If you or your organization would like to be a part of this important initiative, please contact Kirby Gaherty, Senior Fellow of Community Safety and Harm Reduction at [email protected]  

Lesley-Jane Dixon: Cultivating the Future of Female Leadership

The Community Foundation is excited to continue our Leaders of the Future series, highlighting the work and experiences of incredible individuals and organizations from across our community of philanthropic, community, professional advisor, corporate, and nonprofit partners.

Not the least of these are the incredible members of The Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees, who work tirelessly to champion and facilitate the work that we do. Lesley-Jane Dixon has served on The Community Foundation’s Board of Trustees since 2019 and will be completing her service on the Board at the end of this month.

From the early days of her career, Lesley-Jane Dixon was used to being one of the only women in the room.

A finance major who grew up in New Jersey, Lesley-Jane began her career at the epicenter of the global financial industry – the American Stock Exchange on Wall St.

“From the moment I saw the trading floor, I was completely and utterly hooked,” Lesley-Jane recalls, as she witnessed the hustle and bustle of traders,  floor brokers, and  market makers – mostly White men – conducting the trades that fuel the U.S. Economy.

Breaking the Glass Ceiling

Although the numbers have been steadily increasing over the years, Women on Wall St – and in most of the financial sector – are still in the minority. Studies show that just about a third of Certified Financial Planners (CFP) in the US are women – and even fewer (about 18%) are in financial leadership positions.

However, Lesley-Jane did not let that bother her as she spent three years at the Stock Exchange, another year at the investment giant Lehman Brothers, and a distinguished career at Lord, Abbett & Co – one of the oldest money management firms in the US – where she eventually became a portfolio manager and partner.

From Wall St to Main Street

In 2007, Lesley-Jane left her position at Lord, Abbett & Co in New Jersey and began a new career as Chief Investment Officer at Clark Enterprises – A private investment firm founded in 1972 to manage Clark family wealth.

While her new environment differed greatly from the Stock Market Floor, Lesley-Jane enjoyed working with the Clark family to guide their investment strategy and learn more about the Greater Washington region she now called home.

Before long, Lesley-Jane was introduced to The Community Foundation, joining the Montgomery County Advisory Board in 2016 and serving on the Sharing Montgomery grants committee.

“I have truly benefited from the unique perspective the Community Foundation has given me through ongoing education opportunities on the needs and priorities of the region, which mirror those of the nation,” Lesley-Jane shared. “I am forever grateful to the Community Foundation for opening my heart and eyes; my time on the board has been a profoundly transformational experience.”

Lesley-Jane with Anna Hargrave, Executive Director for Montgomery County; Marcus Braxton, Chief Operations Officer; and Juliana Mitrojorgji, Chief Financial Officer at the 2023 Annual Meeting.

In the Room Where it Happens

It didn’t take long for Lesley-Jane to catch the attention of fellow financial planner and advisory board member, Mary Pat Alcus who also served on the Board of Trustees as Chair of The Community Foundation’s Investment Committee. The Investment Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of the more than $500 million in assets under The Community Foundation’s purview. By 2019, Lesley-Jane was invited to join the Board of Trustees and the Investment Committee – which she would later Chair.

Within months, Lesley-Jane and Mary Pat helped onboard a new CEO – Tonia Wellons – the second Black Female CEO in the The Community Foundation’s history. Together, with Juliana Mitrojorgji – the organization’s Chief Financial Officer, The CommunityFoundation boasted an all-Female Investment Committee with a combined 75 years of investment, partnership, and financial management experience.

“What I love about working with a strong female leader like Tonia is that she spends more time listening than speaking. ” Lesley-Jane shared. “As an effective communicator, Tonia encourages diverse perspectives, is open to differing opinions and believes in collaboration.  Her commitment to the vision and goals she has set for herself, the organization, and the staff contributes to a culture of respect and success.

Together, the women set out to reevaluate the organization’s investment strategy – eventually seeking out and onboarding a new Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) to manage The Community Foundation’s assets and generate stronger returns for fundholders and the community. They also initiated annual onsite visits between The Community Foundation and the OCIO (SEI), to promote strategic alignment and greater transparency around investment priorities.

Lesley-Jane and the Investment Committee were also heavily involved in the adoption and implementation of The Community Foundation’s 10-Year Strategic Vision to close the racial wealth gap – particularly as it related to making socially and financially responsible investments to execute the organization’s goals.

“I thoroughly enjoy working with Tonia, Juliana, Rachel and The Community Foundation team,” Lesley-Jane shared. “They are passionate about what they do, bringing unique strengths, robust skills, and an unmatched dedication to advancing the organization’s mission and vision. Throughout my tenure, I’ve felt valued, appreciated, and part of the team, a rarity in the for-profit and nonprofit worlds.  Tonia has built an enduring culture of inclusion and innovation, enabling her to attract and retain the best and the brightest.  Spending time with them felt like my second home.

Supporting Strong Female Leaders Abroad

Zulnette Garcia Ramos, Executive Director of Albanisteria en la Brega - a nonprofit organization in Puerto Rico that Lesley-Jane advises through How Women Lead.

Lesley-Jane’s leadership impact goes beyond The Community Foundation. In 2023, she was invited to join the Board of Advisors for How Women Lead, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping women influence change in the workplace. (Jill Landefeld, fellow Community Foundation Trustee and member of the Investment Committee, is also a Board Member).

How Women Lead provides outlets for female executives to support women by activating individual and collective power to influence change through leadership advancement, investment, coaching and philanthropy.

Through one of the programs, Lesley-Jane has worked with nonprofit leaders in Puerto Rico and Kenya – helping to support women as they build organizations providing much needed services from access to school libraries to support for victims of domestic violence.

When asked what she enjoys most about the program, Lesley-Jane shared that she enjoys seeing women empowered to change their community and become examples of leadership that future female leaders can follow.

“When we uplift one another, we create networks of encouragement and collaboration that can break down systemic barriers that limit potential,” Lesley-Jane concluded. “Moreover, women supporting each other sets a powerful example for future generations, inspiring them to carry forward the legacy of unity.”

“Strong female leaders can drive positive change and make significant improvements --Not just to an organization, but to a whole community!”

Meet Our Community Action Award Partners!

This month, The Community Foundation is excited to announce the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Action Awards. First introduced in 2020, the VoicesDMV Community Action Awards provide grants of $5,000 to nonprofits who are working on projects to make our region more equitable and inclusive. We are proud to support the work and mission of our Community Action Award Partners!

• Child Care Counts

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  We serve low-income families in the District of Columbia and neighboring counties in Maryland and Virginia. At least 70% of our program families live in DC Wards 7 and 8, or in Maryland: Aspen Hill, Hyattsville and Takoma Park.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization

  Child Care Counts promotes economic mobility for low-income families by addressing child care needs. We provide direct assistance for child care costs of young children in the greater Washington DC area so parents can pursue better career opportunities. These supports, along with ongoing financial planning, help parents build long-term prosperity and set up children for success.

  What was your reaction to the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report? Did it's findings resonate with you and your work? If so, how?

  The 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report echoes what we see with our program families and those who come to us seeking assistance. Most are working full-time but struggling to, not even get ahead, but just stay afloat. Low wages for jobs like early learning teacher, school bus driver, home health aide - jobs that are so important to our community - keep them in a constant state of financial insecurity. Our assistance with the cost of a state licensed child care provider is a huge help but they also need help navigating a system that is stacked against them. Applying for a state child care voucher can be a nightmare, so much so that many parents just give up on benefits that could really help them find and keep employment. This is just one example of how the programs that are in place to support our most vulnerable families, can end up being a barrier. It is no wonder that these communities report lower expectations for long term prosperity, as cited in the report.

  What excites you about receiving a 2024 Community Action Award? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with the microgrant?

  We are excited to offer our Necessities Fund to families receiving Child Care Counts child care scholarships because we hope it will give them actual experience that demonstrates the importance of saving for a family emergency fund. Low-income families often rely on credit cards in emergency situations and so, frequently come to us with large credit card debt. We provide one-on-one financial counseling but it's hard to relate to the advice given, without real-life experience.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  Many of the parents we work with are achieving goals because they've had the barrier of affording quality child care removed. Some have graduated with degrees from college. Some have been able to take full-time, higher paying jobs. It is so gratifying to see them excited for their children and excited for their own future prospects. It gives us hope that if we, as a community (and nation) can solve some very solvable issues, families could be so much better off. In our minds, it is not that hard and the payoffs are tremendous. For every family we've supported, no matter the situation of the parent(s,) we know that the safe, nurturing and enriching child care that their children are provided with will serve them well in life. This support not only helps families now, it is also an investment the future of their children and, ultimately, in the greater community.

• Bethesda Cares

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Montgomery County, MD.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization

  The mission of Bethesda Cares is to ease, end, and prevent homelessness. We conduct street outreach to individuals experiencing homelessness, helping them obtain subsidies for permanent supportive housing. Once housed, we provide them with ongoing case management.

  What was your reaction to the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report? Did it's findings resonate with you and your work? If so, how?

  We felt a sense of empathy with members of our community who feel a lack of personal stability. The findings resonated with the sense of community well being that is imbued in our mission.

  What excites you about receiving a 2024 Community Action Award? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with the microgrant?

  With this grant we plan to support our outreach program, ensuring individuals experiencing chronic homelessness have the support and resources to find and remain in permanent supportive housing. This work will end homelessness for members of our community.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  We are excited to see more individuals given the supports they need to find and remain in housing, permanently.

• Centers for Opportunity

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  CFO operates five centers across Northern Virginia (including Annandale, Arlington, Merrifield (Fairfax), Reston, and South County in Alexandria on Route 1 near Fort Belvoir). Through our virtual groups which run Monday through Saturday, we provide added support to residents across Arlington and Fairfax Counties.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization

  CFO supports adults in Northern Virginia, offering free programs to help them achieve their personal and professional goals. We offer five areas of support 1) Basic Needs (daily meals and referrals to services such as housing and medical care 2) Peer Support (all of our staff are individuals in recovery from mental health and/or substance use issues) 3) Wellness and Recovery programs (daily activities such as art-for-wellness, journaling, socialization, and recreation to help individuals heal from trauma and negative life experiences 4) Employment Services (available for anyone in the community) and 5) Virtual Groups (to support individuals who are homebound or who prefer online services).

  What was your reaction to the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report? Did it's findings resonate with you and your work? If so, how?

  Your report is thorough and comprehensive. It touched on many of the issues those we serve face daily, from access to affordable housing to employment concerns. It also recognizes the very real issue of food insecurity most of our participants face on a daily basis. We at CFO value and respect the wonderful work of your organization and both humbled and honored to be working with you to help uplift those we serve on Route 1 in Alexandria. CFO recently opened an Employment Services division to help individuals find jobs, but also to connect individuals to training and programs that will help them move forward such as literacy, securing GED's, ESL, and others. This issue were another key finding in your report that many of our participants face.

  What excites you about receiving a 2024 Community Action Award? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with the microgrant?

  CFO is grateful for the Community Action Award because it empowers us to help individuals who need to secure their GED's so they can pursue a higher education or a trade. It helps us create meaningful collateral material to help support those seeking employment to use as a guide while pursuing their dreams, and it helps us to capture the behaviors of individuals digitally in mock interviews so they can become self-aware of the impressions they are making to employers. This will help them be more prepared when an interview happens. Ultimately the funds will assist CFO in helping adults who are unemployed, underemployed, or who are seeking new opportunities to move toward upward mobility. The ability to help those we serve achieve this is thrilling for us. Thank you!

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  South County Alexandria, along Route 1, has seen a great deal of positive growth in the past several years. It is a positive development. Unfortunately, however there are many individuals who continue to live below the poverty level in the area. We are excited that as a collective - individuals, nonprofit organizations, faith-based communities, businesses, and local government are all working together to address the challenges these individuals face. It is heartening to witness, and CFO's participants are benefiting from these collective efforts as they are securing jobs, homes, and are moving forward in life in this vibrant section of Fairfax County.

• Story Tapestries, Inc

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Story Tapestries (ST) focuses on providing access to the arts for all ages, especially in communities experiencing disparities and economic challenges. Write Your Story (WYS - pronounced “wise”) is Story Tapestries’ approach to provide workforce development for caregivers and educators while promoting accessibility and inclusivity in learning environments to support youth at every stage of development. The WYS initiative currently reaches Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Frederick counties and Washington, DC.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization

  Story Tapestries addresses vital community issues for millions of people of all ages and abilities using collaboration and the arts, in all forms, to create and deliver tailored, accessible programs. We are an arts service organization that meets mental health, education, workforce development, digital equity and economic stability objectives through the use of the arts as a tool to support personal and community development.

  What was your reaction to the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report? Did it's findings resonate with you and your work? If so, how?

  The VoicesDMV Community Insights Report confirms the observations we’ve had of the challenges and barriers that exist for residents across the DMV, and in specific communities in particular. The report really highlights workforce fears, with 75% of residents describing available job opportunities as a barrier to achieving financial goals, and underlines how access to quality early childhood education and childcare services is the primary barrier to employment for residents with children.

  It was sobering, though not surprising, to see the report identified significant gaps and inequities in perceptions and in actual access to services based on racial/ethnic background in addition to geographic disparities.

  The data parallels what we know from the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE). MSDE reports (2022-23) only 42% of children were ready for kindergarten, with 29% of those living in poverty demonstrating readiness. The gap is larger based on economic status and ethnicity, with 56% of Caucasian kindergarteners deemed ready, compared to 22% of Latino/a students and 37% of African American students.

  This has been a central focus of the work of Story Tapestries - to intentionally work to increase access for those who have not had it and to systematically address these inequities by building pathways to change and implementing strategies that are inclusive and accessible for all.

  What excites you about receiving a 2024 Community Action Award? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with the microgrant?

  Story Tapestries has received requests from sites in East County and Langley Park, both in Montgomery County, but have not had the funding to offer services at those sites. With this microgrant, WYS will expand the current successful program to 2 more sites in the above regions reaching an additional 80 children, 40 caregivers and 16 educators. We are excited to be able to reach these communities who have expressed need and interest, but haven’t had access to the funds to make these programs possible.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  Montgomery County has a vibrant community of civic-minded and engaged residents and a current county government that supports collaboration and has set up strategies to support early childhood development. We are excited for the possibilities to affect systemic change with both the public and private support necessary. In our years of providing strong workforce development programs that boost skills and improve job security for early childhood educators, we have seen a real impact on teachers as well as the children they support. Involving parents/caregivers has been a critical component of this success. We look forward to continuing to partner with the community to develop a strong cradle to career pipeline that more equitably supports today’s children - tomorrow’s leaders.

• Beloved Community Incubator

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  We are a regional solidarity economy movement organization serving communities in the DMV. Specifically we support an over 20 member network of coops, and provide intensive support to Black and Brown led coops and coops in formation, through non-extractive lending, technical assistance and training, and community organizing. Specifically, our focus in DC is primarily in Wards 1, 4, 7 & 8. We are also cultivating and deepening relationships with BIPOC-led coops and potential coops in Montgomery County, PG County, and in NOVA -- specifically in Bailey's Crossroads/the Rt. 1 Corridor in Virginia.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization

  BCI provides both high-touch incubation and administrative, legal, and technical support to cooperatives in DC, Maryland, and Virginia at various stages of incubation and operation. Data shows that worker-owned cooperatives and collectives build wealth for workers and provide better wages, benefits, leave, and training than traditional capitalist business structures. BCI also provides non-extractive, or solidarity, lending to local cooperatives through the DC Solidarity Economy Loan Fund. Solidarity loans support a thriving ecosystem of cooperatives by providing access to non-extractive capital, especially to borrowers who otherwise would not qualify for lending under traditional lending practices, and ensuring that they are not bankrupted by automatic loan repayments or personal loan guarantees. Finally, because the current capitalist economy does not meet the needs of our communities, BCI engages in community organizing, advocacy campaigns, and mutual aid to build and protect worker power in the DC region, with the goal of creating policies that support the emergence of a regional solidarity economy.

  What was your reaction to the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report? Did it's findings resonate with you and your work? If so, how?

  The findings we resonated 100% and confirmed what we already know to be true from our work in the community. Strategies so far in the traditional service, advocacy, and organizing sectors to alleviate generational poverty are not working on their own. They need to be supplement with a radically different approach that shifts the relationship of workers to capital, and allows families to build generational wealth. We are so glad to be part of a very broadly conceived "social safety net" and bring to the table our own model of social change, where the most harshly system impacted people to own their own labor and and create assets owned communally.

  What excites you about receiving a 2024 Community Action Award? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with the microgrant?

  We hope to continue the work we started in building out a regional approach to the work of BCI! This microgrant will allow us to dive deeper and share out our learnings!

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  The DMV is in deep need of a solidarity economy ecosystem! We are ready to for our role in supporting communities regionally to build a new society in the shell of the old.

• Guerilla Gardeners of Washington DC

  Which Communities/Neighborhoods do you serve?

  Guerrilla Gardeners of Washington DC conducts most of our work in Ward 6, however participants in our vocational training program are drawn primarily from Wards 7 and 8. We also are in the fourth year of a long-term commitment to develop, improve and maintain the public green spaces adjacent to the Potomac Gardens and Hopkins Apartments public housing campuses.

  In 2-3 sentences, please briefly describe the mission of your organization

  Guerrilla Gardeners of Washington DC is a 100% volunteer nonprofit organization that improves public spaces, strengthens underserved communities and positively impacts the lives of at-risk youth. We provide leadership, knowledge, organization, volunteer labor and supplies in collaboration with local residents to create more equitable, attractive, usable and safer green spaces for urban neighborhoods. We provide vocational training internships in gardening, landscaping and urban agriculture to young people facing homelessness and food insecurity. 

  What was your reaction to the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report? Did it's findings resonate with you and your work? If so, how?

  The 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report underscored the need for the work of Guerrilla Gardeners and inspired us expand our efforts to provide vocational training to vulnerable youth populations and equitable public green spaces to underserved communities.

  What excites you about receiving a 2024 Community Action Award? In 2-3 short sentences, please share what you hope to accomplish with the microgrant?

  Receiving a 2024 Community Action Award validates the work we are doing in the community. This microgrant will fund intensive training in landscaping for at-risk youth at the beginning of 2025, preparing them to immediately enter the workforce for the coming season. Our network of industry employers will be provided a roster of newly-trained candidates with the requisite skills to perform basic landscaping tasks. Some trainees may choose an entrepreneurial route by engaging private clients.

  What excites you about the future for your community?

  GGDC and the Greater Washington Community Foundation share the philosophy of developing community-based solutions. As the success of this approach grows, we anticipate greater support for this strategy from the wider population to overcome obstacles to education, self-reliance and prosperity.

The Community Foundation Announces 2024 VoicesDMV Community Action Awards

The Community Foundation is excited to announce the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Action Awards. The awards are part of The Community Foundation’s VoicesDMV community engagement initiative, which unveiled its most recent Community Insights Report earlier this year.

“VoicesDMV is about more than just gathering and sharing information,” Darius Graham, The Community Foundation’s Managing Director of Community Investment shared. “It’s about turning information into action and making sure our work and that of our partners is directly informed by residents.”

“That’s why we’re excited to announce these Community Action Awards to support nonprofits in our community that are doing the work to address the issues and challenges outlined in the VoicesDMV report.”

First introduced in 2020, the VoicesDMV Community Action Awards provide grants of $5,000 to nonprofits who are working on projects to make our region more equitable and inclusive.

Projects ranged from initiatives addressing civic engagement and job readiness to others focused on rental assistance and housing security. All of the projects address one or more issues highlighted in the 2024 VoicesDMV Community Insights Report.

This year’s Community Action Award Recipients include:

• Anti-Racist DC will train and engage DC residents about housing insecurity and the inequitable distribution of wealth through the lens of equity and racial justice.

• Guerilla Gardeners of DC will provide a 4-week groundskeeping training program for young people facing housing insecurity.

• Beloved Community Incubator will partner with local organizations to engage with residents to promote workplace democracy and worker ownership.

• Centers for Opportunity will address barriers to employment for those living in the Richmond Highway corridor – with a special focus on those who have not worked for an extended period of time (ex. those experiencing homelessness, formerly incarcerated, and those without a high school diploma).

• Living Classrooms Foundation will train Ward 7 residents in how to operate and maintain “green infrastructure” through their Kingman Rangers program.

• Story Tapestries will hold trainings for early childhood educators in Montgomery County so they can earn higher wages and teach more effectively.

• Child Care Counts will provide emergency funds for families in Ward 7 & 8

• Bethesda Cares will provide rent relief to low-income individuals in Montgomery County

• Youth Activism Project will focus on youth civic empowerment and get-out-the-vote efforts in DC Wards 7 & 8 and East County, Montgomery County to help residents become more involved and aware of their role in local government.

• Many Languages, One Voice will hold four listening sessions with immigrants and refugee residents of Washington, DC to gather additional insights and reactions to the VoicesDMV Report. Data from these sessions will be used to create deeper awareness of the needs and situation of immigrants of color in DC.

Click here to learn more about our 2024 Community Action Award Recipients!

Brilliant Futures Launches in Prince George's County

On September 10, parents, teachers and friends of the graduating class of 2037 gathered at Bradbury Heights Elementary School in Capitol Heights to celebrate the launch of Brilliant Futures. The pilot – which was launched in partnership with Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) and Reid Community Development Corporation – is the first children’s saving pilot program in Prince George’s County.

“We are pleased to announce our partnership with Bradbury Heights for our Brilliant Futures Program to invest in the future of your children,” President & CEO Tonia Wellons shared with parents – some of whom were hearing about the program for the very first time.

Announced earlier this year, Brilliant Futures is a children’s savings pilot program that will provide kindergarten students at two schools with up to $1,000 in savings each year from kindergarten through 12th grade.

Members of the Class of 2037 perform a special musical number to kick off the program.

The Community Foundation has partnered with Prince George’s County Public Schools to launch the pilot program for all kindergarteners currently enrolled at Bradbury Heights Elementary School in Capitol Heights, MD in Prince George’s County. The program also launched in June for the rising kindergarteners at Jackson Road Elementary School in the White Oak neighborhood of Silver Spring, MD in Montgomery County.

The Community Foundation has committed to funding the program for two consecutive kindergarten cohorts at each school — specifically the future graduating classes of 2036 and 2037 at Jackson Road Elementary and classes of 2037 and 2038 at Bradbury Heights Elementary schools. The program is expected to enroll up to 400 students. The participant population is 90% Black, Latinx, and Hispanic with all students eligible for free and reduced meal service (FARMS).

The schools were selected in alignment with The Community Foundation's strategic focus on high opportunity priority neighborhoods across the region where residents are experiencing the deepest disparities in homeownership, income, and life expectancy, according to several data sources.

Superintendent Millard House II handing out certificates to Brilliant Futures participants at Bradbury Heights Elementary

“We’ve seen the transformative impacts of well-executed programs that provide savings for young people and adults alike,” said Millard House II, superintendent of Prince George’s County Public Schools. “We hope that by supporting students with a down payment on life, whether that goes toward funding a college tuition, starting a small business, or buying a house, this program will level the playing field, promoting racial and financial equity in the Greater Washington region.”

“Brilliant Futures isn’t just about the money,” Dr. Lynnette Walker-Crayton, Principal of Bradbury Heights Elementary School added. “It’s about nurturing our youngest learners and setting them up with the confidence and agency to build their own life.”

That confidence rang through the air, as members of the graduating class of 2037 opened the program with a special musical number -- twenty bright, smiling faces belting out the refrain:

““I’m brave, I’m strong, I’m loved…and I’m unique!” ”

— Brilliant Futures Students, Bradbury Heights

The pilot program will be funded using $10 million of contributions raised by The Community Foundation’s “Together, We Prosper Campaign for Economic Justice” and through investments from generous donors. Upon completing high school, the goal is for each student to have access to at least $13,000, plus any investment earnings, that they can use to seed their future aspirations. 

Brilliant Futures parent Joann Brent and her future scholars.

The Greater Washington Community Foundation will work with the schools as well as with community partners Reid Community Development Corporation in Prince George’s The Greater Washington Community Foundation will work with the schools as well as with community partners Reid Community Development Corporation in Prince George’s County and Parent Encouragement Program in Montgomery County to manage the program. 

“Thank you for intentionally sewing a seed into these scholars; these future business owners – our future leaders through the Brilliant Futures program,” expressed Dr. Kenneth Harris Vice Chair of the Prince George’s County School Board. “There’s no better place to start than right here in Bradbury Heights in District 7.”

“This is something I was not expecting this year,” Joann Brent, one Brilliant Futures parent shared. “It’s simply magical – thank you for giving us this boost to fuel us through the next 12 years of our children’s educational journey.”

If you’d like to find out more about how you can support programs like Brilliant Futures, visit our website to learn more about our Together, We Prosper Campaign or contact Chris Howie, Managing Director of Development at [email protected]  

Brilliant Futures Principal Recognized as 2024 Bethesda Magazine Women Who Inspire

On August 28, Bethesda Magazine announced the 2024 Women Who Inspire Recipients - six women who are making change in Montgomery County and beyond.

The Following is an excerpt from the Bethesda Magazine profile written on Rosario ‘Paola’ Velasquez, Principal of Jackson Road Elementary School and a key figure behind The Community Foundation’s Brilliant Futures program which launched this past Summer.

Authorship Credit - Amy Halpern, Bethesda Magazine

As soon as Paola Velasquez opens the classroom door, a swarm of kindergartners drape their arms around her in a tight embrace. Little girls with box braids and pigtails, little boys with cornrows and close-cropped Afros—some with shy smiles, others with excited laughs—they quickly pile on, and the hug circle around their principal grows bigger and bigger. The same thing happens in nearly every classroom she enters.

It’s been five years since Velasquez, 44, took over the reins of Jackson Road Elementary School in Silver Spring’s White Oak neighborhood. It’s a Title 1 school with a minority population of more than 95%, where more than 75% of the students qualify for free meals. She started in the role only months before the pandemic hit. Since she’s been at the helm, the school rose from a 3-star rating to a 4-star, according to the Maryland State Department of Education, making it one of only four Title 1 elementary schools in the county (out of 40, according to Velasquez) to earn a 4-star rating for the 2022-23 school year, the most current rating year available. “Many schools throughout the state decreased a star, but we increased,” she says. 

The school now offers free evening English language classes for parents and guardians (along with free child care); a soccer program; two private-practice therapists who administer one-on-one mental health services to students at no charge; a dentist who cleans students’ teeth for free; and an optometrist who provides complimentary vision checks and eyeglasses, says Chris Callisto, Jackson Road’s Community School Liaison.

During the 2023-24 school year, Jackson Road opened a food pantry, and it began sending bags of food home on Fridays to 80 families. “When you are a child … and your basic needs aren’t being met because of poverty, you’re not thinking so much about going to college … you’re more worried about getting something to eat or clothing or making sure that you’re not going to be homeless,” Velasquez says.

Velasquez knows what it’s like to grow up poor in Montgomery County. She came here from Peru with her parents and three brothers when she was 8. All six lived in the basement of a relative’s house in Germantown while her dad worked as a janitor and painter, and her mom cleaned houses. Her parents saved enough money to move into an apartment, and eventually to buy a small home in Germantown.

When Velasquez graduated from Seneca Valley High School in Germantown in 1998, she watched as other students went off to college. She hadn’t been instructed how to sign up for SATs, fill out college applications or plan for her future. Instead, she took a job as an aide at a day care center, saved money to buy a car, then to pay for classes at Montgomery College, and then to earn her bachelor’s degree in elementary education at the University of Maryland, College Park…..

…….“Sometimes, you know, we have kids who … are having a hard time, they’re going through … a crisis, basically [and] it can take … hours out of my day for me to talk to that child,” Velasquez says. “They’re not ready to learn.”

But her goal is to keep them learning and all the while feeling confident and supported. After all, she says, “they’re going to be the ones who are going to be leading us in the future.”…..

Click here to read the full article.

To learn more about Brilliant Futures and how you can get involved, visit https://www.togetherweprosperdmv.org/brilliant-futures

The Black-Led Project: A Guide to Understand the Opportunities and Challenges for Black-led organizations

The Community Foundation is proud to support Service Never Sleeps (SNS) as they release their Black-Led Project Report. The report engaged 117 Black leaders directly about their unique needs and challenges, as well as their approaches to serving the community based upon their lived experiences. 

Whitney Parnell and Samson Girma, co-founders of SNS, sat down with our Chief Program Officer, Dawnn Leary, to share some of their major takeaways, ahead of the report’s release.

What can you tell us about the Black-Led Project research process?

We originally started the Black-Led Project after being told by multiple foundations that we didn’t qualify as “Black-led” when we applied for their funding in response to the 2020 Black Lives Matter uprising. Knowing that Black people are best equipped to define ourselves, we launched a pilot in the Spring of 2022 by interviewing 27 Black leaders–Executive Directors, Deputy Directors, Race Equity Officers, and Race Equity Consultants–about the question, What does it mean to be Black-led?

Gratefully, the Greater Washington Community Foundation funded our continued research, and we engaged a total of 117 participants by the end of 2023 through interviews, cohort discussions, and surveys. Through the process, we were encouraged by the affirmation of our original findings and were enlightened by additional takeaways from the larger participant pool.

What were some of the main themes from the Black-Led Project research that stood out to SNS?

There were dozens of takeaways from the research, but there were several major themes that clearly stood out:

1. Black leaders are uniquely positioned to lead in transformative and liberatory ways because of their experiences and perspectives.
   Black leaders’ proximity to the community issues and experiences in the workplace allow for effective and innovative approaches to their missions – thus expanding the traditional notion of “good leadership.”

   One participant said: “Black folks tend to have a specific sort of lived experience that allows them to have an expansive view on solutions to particular social issues. Bringing that lived experience to the table actually helps produce better outcomes for all people…particularly in the nonprofits and social sector space because there’s a much better understanding of what’s actually happening in communities, and what we’re trying to support.”
   

2. Black led organizations can benefit people of all identities, due to their tendency to create “people-first” cultures that guide internal and external priorities.
   Black led organizations prioritize cultures of community, joy, and wellness in order to ensure that they support employees as full people, which in turn allows staff to show up effectively to their important missions.

   “Everyone gains when you can breathe, when you are in community, when you care about how people show up with their whole selves,” one participant shared. “When it’s pro-Black and Black-led, those things are centered, and everyone benefits in an organization.”
   

3. Black leaders face many unique challenges, including disrespect, insufficient funding, and unreasonable expectations amidst barriers.

   As part of taking on difficult leadership situations – which often come with unfair and unrealistically high standards, many Black leaders face challenges that impact their health and ability to successfully lead their organizations.

   “Many Black leaders are put in impossible situations where no leader would be expected to succeed,” one Black leader shared. “When they fail, this reinforces stereotypes.”
   

4. Black leaders need support from all directions to lead their organizations.
   There are so many ways that Black leaders and their organizations can be invested in to ensure that their powerful work can continue. Some specific needs that were mentioned included Black leaders’ needs for community with other Black leaders and operational funding to sustain the organizations and themselves. A thriving leader is best positioned to lead a thriving organization and drive community impact; so it should be everybody’s responsibility within and proximate to the organizations to ensure that Black leaders thrive.
   
   “[With funding] you are telling Black people that you trust us enough to lead,” one participant remarked. “You trust us enough with the grants, with the budgets, with the money. But you also trust our experiences and our perspectives.”

What will SNS be offering as a result of what it heard and learned from Black leaders?

Service Never Sleeps Whitney Parnell, Founder & CEO and Samson Girma, COO

The two years of research equipped us to write a robust report, and to create a supplemental training to accompany it.

Beyond a descriptive outline of the definition of Black led organizations, both resources provide a detailed spotlight on Black leaders’ experiences and insights, an extensive guide of equitable practices and effective leadership by centering Black leaders, and a charge to fund and support the sustainability and thriving of Black leaders and Black-led organizations.

The report is free to access on our website  – where you can also sign up to participate in the supplemental training course.  The training is meant to dive deeper into the report’s content, including providing opportunities to reflect in community, and develop next steps relative to participants’ individual identities and roles within institutions.

What do you hope for how the space will evolve to better recognize and support Black leaders based on what you heard and learned?

First and foremost, we hope that Black leaders will be trusted for the fantastic visionaries and deliverers that we are. Anti-Blackness is pervasive, and Black leaders face numerous barriers that prevent us from leading effectively and driving our important missions. We hope that Black leaders will be supported more.

If we say we care about Black led organizations, then we must care about Black leaders; and if we want to sustain Black organizations, then we must sustain Black leaders. It’s all intertwined, and sustainability is key.

Black led organizations should not only be championed during particular political climates or in response to egregious headlines; rather, the support should be consistent. Black led organizations have so much to offer communities and their people, and they can only live into that full potential with the adequate backing and resources to do so.

As The Community Foundation seeks to implement ways to center and operationalize equity within its grantmaking, this research will inspire ways The Community Foundation can transform its grantmaking practices to better center and support BIPOC leaders while reducing unintended barriers these leaders are experiencing.    

We are so excited to dig into this report, participate in the SNS offerings and learn how The Community Foundation can become a better philanthropic partner to Black led organizations in our community. We invite our philanthropic peers and donors to read this research, learn from these visionary leaders, and identify opportunities for you and your organizations to better center and support the work of BIPOC leaders.

Benefactors: A Black Giving Collective

The First Two Members of f Benefactors A Black Giving Collective, Marlissa Hudson (L) and Rahnesia Best (R)

The Greater Washington Community Foundation has partnered with the Young, Black, and Giving Back (YBGB) Institute to launch and co-lead Benefactors: A Black Giving Collective. The national giving circle aims to empower Black-led and Black-benefiting nonprofits by building community and mobilizing individual philanthropy for maximum impact.

“Black Giving is Magic,” Ebonie Johnson Cooper, founder of YBGB shared. “Benefactors is about catalyzing the giving capacity of Black people who want to invest funds into our communities in a meaningful way.”.”

The Giving Collective was inspired by a similar movement, Black Benefactors, which convened more than 60 donors to distribute tens of thousands of dollars in grants to Black-led nonprofits between 2007-2022. Two years later, Benefactors aims to continue the legacy of Black Collective Giving.

“Together, as Benefactors, we aim to support Black-led and Black-Benefiting nonprofits and invite individuals to journey alongside us,” stated Melen Hagos, Chief of Staff at The Community Foundation and one of the lead facilitators for Benefactors. “Together, we’ll discover the power of philanthropy and deepen our engagement – both with impactful causes and with other fellow changemakers.”

Ebonie Johnson Cooper and Melen Hagos announce the launch of Benefactors at a special ABFE event in April 2024.

 Members of Benefactors will have access to an extensive network cultivated through the YBGB Institute’s successful Give 8/28 day of giving - which serves as a hub for over 1000 organizations and counting. This network forms the backbone of the groups collective efforts, providing a springboard for changemakers to come together to directly support Black-led and Black-benefiting nonprofits across the country.

Changemakers like Chelsea Brown, founder and principal of The Black Mill. Brown was among the first members to join Benefactors when the initiative first launched back in April 2024 at ABFE’s annual conference. A seasoned philanthropist with over eight years of experience, Brown shared her excitement at being part of what she considers an innovative next step in Black philanthropy.

“To me, Benefactors represents the future of Black philanthropy,” Brown shared.

“The future of Black philanthropy is powerful and transformative,” she added. “It is marked by increased visibility, intentionality, and impact, with a focus on building generational wealth, amplifying Black-led organizations, and driving systemic change.

“As more Black philanthropists, organizations, and collectives take ownership of narratives and resources, Black philanthropy will continue to challenge traditional funding models, advocating for equity, trust-based giving, and community-led initiatives.”

“Black philanthropy is important because our donating power as Black people can and does move mountains,” added fellow Benefactor member, Leslie Jefferson, an Adjunct Professor in the University of Maryland’s School of Policy.

“I am excited for the chance to invest in the Black-led and Black benefiting nonprofits through Benefactors because we’ll be able to help organizations that are typically severely underfunded and face daily barriers to access the funding they need to deliver their missions.”

“When no one else is there for Black-led organizations, we are and must be there for our own. It is the philanthropy from our own that sustains and continues to sustain us.”

In addition to Brown and Jefferson, the Collective currently boasts 27 members. Members pay $500 in annual dues, which are payable in up to four monthly installments.

The Collective is made possible through a generous grant from former members of Black Benefactors, , and a matching grant from the Greater Washington Community Foundation.

Benefactors: A Black Giving Collective is actively recruiting new members to join us in making a difference for Black-led nonprofits! For more information, contact Melen Hagos at [email protected] or visit our website to join!

Aimee Griffin - Building Black Intergenerational Wealth Through Estate Planning

The Community Foundation is excited to continue our Leaders of the Future series, highlighting the work and experiences of incredible individuals and organizations from across our community of philanthropic, community, professional advisor, corporate, and nonprofit partners.

In honor of National Make a Will month, we’re pleased to feature Aimee Griffin, a member of our Professional Advisors Council and a valued member of our Prince George’s County Advisory Board.

For Aimee Griffin, Principal of Life & Legacy Counselors (formerly The Griffin Firm PLLC), estate planning is more than just part of her career – it’s part of her mission.

“Estate planning isn’t about the money,” Griffin explained. “It’s about deciding to care about the people we care about – whether we know them or not – preserving our legacy, especially for those who will come after us.”

“I Can’t Prosper if Others Can’t Prosper”

The daughter of two Civil Rights activists, Griffin’s passion for serving other people – specifically the Black community -- was instilled in her from an early age. Her parents both participated in the famous March on Washington and often took their daughter to community meetings in her hometown in Massachusetts.

Aimee Griffin’s parents at a Civil Rights March

“My parent’s life mantra was ‘I can’t prosper if others can’t prosper,” Griffin explained. “If God opens my eyes to fill a need and I am uniquely positioned, than I should do that.”

On one particular occasion, while working at the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, overseeing Contracting and Procurement at the Department of Disability Services, Griffin became aware that the Black community wasn’t being given access to growth opportunities within her department.

“I realized that if I, as a woman who is conscious of this barrier, wasn’t able to help people overcome it and have access to opportunity, that meant that there was something systemically wrong.”

Building Black Legacy – From Entrepreneurship to Estate Planning

Griffin decided to take action. At age 40, Griffin enrolled in law school at Western New England University. She founded the New England Black Chamber of Commerce – which she led for seven years before moving to the DC area to serve as the General Counsel for the National Children’s Center. She also served as General Counsel and Incorporator for the US Black Chamber of Commerce.

Through her time at the Black Chamber of Commerce, Griffin enjoyed working closely with Black entrepreneurs and small businesses. She provided legal and business advice to help hundreds of businesses explore new opportunities for growth and development.

But amidst the success stories, Griffin also witnessed heartbreaking and powerful stories of entrepreneurs whose legacies were sadly cut short due to lack of resources, information, and expertise.

“I remember one small business I worked with lost everything when the owner passed away unexpectedly, without establishing an estate and succession plan for his business” Griffin recalled. “Whether he just didn’t know how or never really thought about it, it really opened my eyes to the importance of estate planning.”

Aimee Griffin with one of her estate planning clients

A short time later, Griffin attended the Heckerling Institute of Estate Planning – one of the country’s largest conferences for estate planning professionals. Out of more than 3,000 participants, Griffin said she was only one of a few dozen Black estate planners at the event.

“It was such an insightful conference, with awesome information,” Griffin recalled. “But it was also painfully clear that very little of it was going to find its way to my community.”

Tackling the Estate Planning Gap

Estate planning has long been a field that studies show few Americans give proper attention to. A 2021 poll by Gallup found that less than half of adults in US have a will – the essential documentation that provides the roadmap for estate planning.

Recent polls by Consumer Reports found that those numbers are even more striking for communities of color. Nationwide, just 23% of Black adults and 18% of Hispanic adults have wills. Griffin points out that this lack of planning plays a significant role in widening the racial and multi-generational wealth gap.

Members of the Association of Black Estate Planners post with President and CEO Tonia Wellons at The Community Foundation's 50th Anniversary Celebration.

“We have 400 years in which we have invested in the dominant culture’s wealth instead of investing communally in the Black community,” Griffin points out. “It’s a lack of capital; it’s a lack of opportunity; but it’s also about a lack of institutional knowledge – of helping people realize why this is important.”

In 2017, Griffin founded the Association of Black Estate Planning Professionals to empower generational wealth in Black families and communities. The group works with organizations nationwide to promote estate planning in Black communities including churches, veteran’s groups, and neighborhoods at-risk of gentrification.

“If you do something in estate planning, you can change the world,” Griffin shared. “It may not overcome the impact of institutional racism, but it’s an important step to shaping what our future and our children’s future will look like.”

Life & Legacy Counselors hosts a free weekly workshop on estate planning at Oxon Hill Library.

Griffin also founded her own law firm, Life & Legacy Counselors (formerly The Griffin Firm, PLLC) which primarily focuses on intergenerational wealth transfer through estate and succession planning.

Griffin explains that one of the most common misconceptions in estate planning, especially in Black and Brown communities, is the idea that estate planning is only necessary for those who are older or inherently wealthy.

“Estate planning isn’t about the money —  It’s about setting goals about what we want to happen with our assets and how we want to do it.”

“Estate planning is for anybody who has somebody that loves them and that they love,” Griffin continued. “We do so much in our lives for those that we care for. Providing a clear and specific estate plan is the least we can do for them.”

Griffin explained how the lack of a clear estate plan often causes unrest in families, leading to lawsuits and discord among surviving members. Defaulting to the legal system doesn’t help, as it prioritizes expediency over the well-being of family members.

“It’s not about today; it’s about tomorrow,” Griffin said. “If we can preserve that which we have through estate planning, we can build a better future for our posterity.”

The Community Foundation is proud to partner with estate planners and professional advisors like Aimee to promote estate planning and help clients fulfill their philanthropic legacies. For more information on how to partner with The Community Foundation, contact our Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Tiffanie Purvis at [email protected].